Hints of Spring at the Pond

Crow pair survey the pond at Lions Park                            © Diane B. Reed

This week has brought more signs of spring to the pond including signs of bird romance. When the world seems crazy and humans seem to determined to self destruct it's reassuring to observe nature and the rhythm of the seasons. Even meteorites falling from the sky remind us that we're not the center of the universe.

Blue Heron tests the waters                     © Diane B. Reed

     So it was reassuring to see a Blue Heron scoping out the fish and other creatures that live in the pond. We've seen more herons in the fields over the winter (looking for mice and moles) than at the pond.
     The wintering Wigeons have not headed north yet, but they'll be leaving for their nesting grounds in the next few weeks.
     And seemingly for our amusement, a lone Canada goose decided to perch and honk in a Cottonwood tree, perhaps calling for his mate.

     It's the time of the year of possibilities, of rebirth. The daffodils have pushed up, our rosemary plant is blooming, and the gardens beckons. As I remove last years withered growth, fresh green leaves emerge from the tangle. In that spirit, I offer this poetic advice from Thich Nhat Hanh:

© Bruce Henrickson

Kiss the Earth

Walk and touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
when we feel safe in ourselves.

Waiting for Spring

Whimsical bicycle and the snow-capped Blue Mountains © Diane B. Reed

We're beginning to have some nice sunny days in the Walla Walla Valley, with temperatures in the low 50s. Up in the Palouse hills north of town the fields are greening up. My neighbors crocuses are beginning to bloom and the daffodils are slowly emerging. It's hard to believe that March is just around the corner and in a few weeks our summer birds will start arriving.

Vineyards awaiting spring                         © Diane B. Reed

It's the last few weeks of ignoring the garden before things start growing and needing attention. Time to get out in the garden and cut back last year's grasses for the new season. Farms, vineyards and ranches still seem quiet, but spring tuneups of equipment and some field burning is underway, and before long the fields will be  busy again. 

We've designed our own garden with native plants -- they're low maintenance and hardy. We see a lot of gardens with  manicured shrubs and non-native plants that struggle in our summer heat and dryness and require extra care. We've also eliminated most of our grass in the front yard, the rest will go this summer. Lavender is extremely happy here and we have several varieties. As the Echinacea, black eyed Susans and the blanket flowers emerge we'll see if any of them didn't make it over the winter -- usually a few give up the ghost every year.  We'll fill those spots in with comparable replacements. And so the season begins again.

 The Blue Mountains, still snow capped                © Diane B. Reed