Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Field Pansies and Bluets

Today was the kind of day that makes you want to be a bird. Not just any bird, though. I am talking Hawk. Specifically, a Red-tailed Hawk, like the two I saw today, playing in spring air thermals rising from the sun-warmed Earth. I stood and watched for a while and tried to imagine how that kind of freedom must feel. As I stood on the hill the sun and strong breeze balanced each other perfectly - I felt neither too warm nor too cool. Just very alive.

I finally called to Daisy and Duke and headed downhill to Meetinghouse Creek. Butterflies were fluttering everywhere! Mourning Cloaks, a Zebra Swallowtail, Falcate Orangetips (male and female), Orange and Common Sulphurs, as well as Spring Azures, a Buckeye, and a Painted Lady all flew above the pipeline grasses.

I sat to check out the tiny flowers blooming near the creek and began hearing things: a Clearwing Dragonfly zoomed past me sounding like a miniature helicopter; fat bumblebees buzzed me while I drew. Grasshoppers moving about the grass made summery zzzzzzt! sounds the whole time I sat there. The creek gurgled and rippled, and last but not least, birds sang their little hearts out! My list:

Carolina Wren
Titmice
Carolina Chickadees
Pileated Woodpecker
Cardinals
White Breasted Nuthatch
Field Sparrows
Gold Finch
Kinglets
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker

Was that an Indigo Bunting I heard? Not sure about that one. Tomorrow I plan to go in search of the secretive Louisiana Waterthrush I saw beside this creek last year.

Spring! I am so happy it is here.

5 comments:

Leslie Fehling said...

Wonderful post! I, too, am feeling euphoric with the coming of spring. Your description was on the mark - I felt like I was there with you. Love your blog. I'm always excited when I see in my reader that there's a new post from you.

Botanicals said...

Every free moment I have, I am drawing botanicals. Your site and drawings just make me happy! Thank you for brightening up my days.

Helen said...

Thank you to both Leslie and Botanicals for your kind words. There's nothing quite like being outside this time of year. Maybe because I get to fall in love with my favorite flowers, leaves, and plants all over again... and then there is the expectation of finding something brand new. You never know. What I do know is that I'm very glad there are others out there like me! Thanks again, you two! Helen

Helen said...
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