Between the cold, windy days of March spring slips in and reigns for one whole day. The earth stirs, birds sing, and plants suddenly produce buds and sprouts. Frogs begin to croak around pools in the densely wooded swamp near the creek, where shoots of water plants poke up from warming mud.
Barren only yesterday, pastures and meadows display green covers now. Appearing suddenly, as if popping up from warming earth, robins hop about across the new grass seeking worms and bugs.
Down in the horse pasture near the woods two groundhogs munch on tender young grass. They feast in celebration of spring and because they can come forth into the sunlight from their dark tunnels. The mother groundhog also must eat to generate milk for the young in the den by the hedgerow along one side of the pasture.
Suddenly, with no warning a plump bird with a long bill flies straight up from the moist ground near the stream that runs into the Soque River. The woodcock has just arrived from his winter quarters in a warmer clime. Atop a tall elm tree a bright red cardinal sings a happy spring tune.
Having grown stale and tired of cold, sometimes bleak winter days, I went out to meet spring, equipped with eager mind and brighter spirit. With me is my trusty camera and I am looking for my friends the pair of red shouldered hawks and hoping the pair of Canadian geese will stay and rear a family on the small swamp.
Easing up to the bank of the river I see a green bush moving in the water! I see a fat beaver carrying what looks like a clump of green grass or reeds. The beaver passes around a bend from my sight. Just above that spot two teal shoot up from the river and fly swiftly upstream. Birds and animals are feeling the pull of spring just as I do. I want to stay all day and be a part of the birth of spring.
Spring’s sweet breath is borne on a breeze thru the cove as the thrush sings and sighs among the tall trees where small birds flit on quick wings. In joy a cardinal sings from the birch down on the stream, while on her nest his mate swings, to doze and perhaps to dream. The azalea blushes pink where the pool glimmers below, where a dove pauses to drink while his mate coos soft and low. Warm blows the breath of spring here stirring the unfurling leaves as new life springs forth everywhere in frilly ferns and tall trees.
