Blackberry winter’s a-comin’

It’s been a while since my last post. I’m happy to say that I can’t blame the delay on the pandemic (although I seem to be meeting more neighbors on the road as I ramble). It’s simply that it’s hard to work on this blog in the springtime, when each day brings more leaves on the trees, new blooms, and other surprises. But after a record high of 84° a few days ago, we’re about to have blackberry winter this weekend with a forecast of lows in the 30s and a frost advisory. That may keep me inside! 🙂

4-23-20

4-24-20

4-21-20

4-25-20

4-26-20

4-22-20

4-28-20

4-27-20

4-30-20

5-1-20

4-29-20

5-2-20

5-4-20

5-3-20

5-5-20

With the arrival of spring the sights and sounds of birds have changed, too. The male ruby-throated hummingbirds duel each other at the feeders, and the rose-breasted grosbeaks have made their all-too-brief appearance. The indigo buntings are back at the feeders, and the Canada geese that live by the river lead their goslings. (You can see the geese in some of the river photos on each post.)

The wild turkeys are strutting,

and the wood thrushes are singing their melodious songs.

The butterflies are arriving, too, including monarchs on their northward migration. We have lots of milkweed in the Hollow; it’s not blooming, but at least there are plants available for monarch egg-laying.