Saturday, April 8, 2023

Rabbits, bluebirds, butterflies..

Now that April's here, we're seeing so many animals starting to emerge from their winter hideaways. 

I spotted a rabbit the other night in the circle of light shining from our neighbor's front porch.

A pair of bluebirds have claimed the nest box and are busy from sunrise to sunset, flying back and forth to raise the year's first brood. I'd love to peek inside, but dare not lest I upset the parents.

 Another pair of birds, Carolina Wrens, have made a nest inside an old BBQ grill that we were getting ready to throw away. A small hole had rusted through the bottom, and we noticed the male and female going in and out through it. You can hear the babies squeaking and peeping inside if you listen carefully! What a creative spot to pick for a nest; I'm glad we didn't hurry to get rid of the old grill when it was no longer serviceable. Turns out it had plenty of service left in it--wren sanctuary.

Last week the first hummingbird appeared by our back porch. I hurried to clean the feeder and make some fresh sugar water, and now a pair of ruby-throats are constantly around, sucking up the fresh nectar.

The first butterflies of the year have shown up. It seems early, but they're here. I saw a couple of beautiful swallowtails yesterday.

Today hasn't been great for animal spotting, because it's turned chilly again with lots of rain. The woodpeckers have been turning up at the suet feeder, though. Not much deters them, plus the feeder's hanging under an eave of porch and that keeps some of the rain off while they're up there. It's fun to watch them from the dining room window.

That's all I've got for today. Oh, and I'm on spring break! I've been off since yesterday and I don't go back to work until the 17th. I'm so happy for the time off, I can't even tell you how much. Once we get back to school there's only five weeks left in this year; the end is finally in sight. 

A very happy Easter to you all!



17 comments:

  1. I love how much you actively enjoy the nature around you. Reading about it lifts my spirits.

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  2. Did you make that lovely picture with Microsoft Image Creator?

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  3. Happy Easter, and enjoy your Spring Break!

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  4. Happy Easter to you too Jennifer!!! It's always an exciting time of year. We two just saw out first pair of Bluebird of the season. Boy are they pretty.

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  5. Yesterday I saw a pair of Jays and a Thrush. Then a line of about 10 huge Chinook helicopters flew over the sea towards the West. I wonder what they were up to?

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  6. How lovely that the old grill now has a new use, and how good for you to have that badly needed and well deserved break from work.
    From the train on my way to O.K. yesterday morning, I spotted the first yellow blossoms on a field of rapeseed. I was surprised at myself when I felt tearful with relief and gratitude all of a sudden at that sight.

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  7. So exciting to have bluebirds in the bird house. We were never successful. And wrens in the old gas grill! Enjoy spring break.

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  8. Nice tales about the beginning of Spring - I did enjoy your word pictures - so thank you. Pat

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  9. Your post is full of lovely descriptions of Spring, Jennifer. I am glad you are enjoying your Spring Break and that you don't have many weeks of school left. I hope you will have news soon of a better job position. Happy Easter!

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  10. Happy Easter, Jennifer. Your reports of animal life in the backyard are so cheering.

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  11. Only five weeks? That's crazy! We still have ten weeks when classes resume on the 17th. We don't get out until June 16th.

    I'm also enjoying watching the world come to life again.

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  12. Happy Easter and Happy Spring Break. My break ends tonight. Back to school tomorrow. 7 more weeks.

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  13. Really? I've seen a spotted rabbit. :-)

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  14. I've got mockingbirds, blue jays, cardinals, frogs, squirrels, June Bugs, ants, and 'skeeters.

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