Friday, February 22, 2019
And Then There Is Light
Those short dark days of winter release their hold on earth around Valentine's Day. It is just a hint of change as the sun grazes the horizon earlier and kisses the horizon goodbye later each day. The birds are noticeably more valiant in their coloring to get ready for that mating season around the corner. They sing just a bit brighter, even if the day is a bit snowy.
We notice the woodpile is smaller but feel no need to rush outside and split wood for the future as we warm by the glow of the last evening fires.
Tropical bulbs that we tenderly cared for over winter are brought out and warmed and encouraged to get their juices flowing. We tuck them near the window where the sunshine can bathe them with nutrition and they sigh like a sleeping cat stretching into the sun. Soon they will also burst forth with vibrant and delicate color.
But I really know it is close to spring when the rock stars and the head-bangers return to the forest near the house. They leap acrobatically from dead wood to dead wood tossing chips here and there stopping every so often to listen to those sounds of life that we cannot hear.
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I've noticed them myself. a pileated woodpecker on the tallow the other day and a flicker on the native pecan. the goldfinches are still here and the boys are getting yellower.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one of those Woody Woodpecker top notchers. I suppose they hang in deeper wooded areas than where I live. Are they bigger then flickers? Never mind, I'll Google it.
ReplyDeleteThey do LOOK bigger.
DeleteWe have none of those headbanger Woodpeckers here, lucky you. How beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNeat photos! Pilated woodpeckers can make quite a charming mess. It's amazing the amount of wood chips they create.
ReplyDeleteLovely stuff. Thank you. We are still shivering here. Snow even...but not here on the beach.
ReplyDeleteThe signs are everywhere when you know where to look. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteLove the woodpeckers!
ReplyDeleteYou described very well how the increase in light makes things start to develop for a new year.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the birds singing, even in the snow, just as long as the sun makes an appearance once in a while.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Loe your variety of woodpeckers.
Love the headbangers. You're ahead of us weather-wise by a few weeks. Today's menu is rain on top of a thick layer of ice covered snow followed by high winds. Sigh. Doubly enjoyed the birds in this post and flower photos in the one above.
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