There are two times each year, usually in mid March and late September, when our yard seems filled with traveling goldfinches, but never as early in the spring as the female I saw yesterday at my birdbath. The bird that’s sometimes called the “wild canary” often shows up in abundant little flocks at our feeders. I counted 14 one late summer morning that were hanging on a backyard feeder, or sitting on nearby shrubs waiting their turn at the trough. The female I saw yesterday showed up before we had our finch feeders out but she seemed to be getting her fill from the perches on the one for songbirds. I accept all comers to my birdbaths and feeders, but for me the goldfinches are markers of change as certain as the solstices. GH
By NED BARRETT Bristol took to trail running almost immediately. At four-and-a-half months old, after a couple of months acclimating to the enduro-path, he ran 10 miles with me in the rain. Now a year later, at full-size, he mashes out miles with a swagger, rarely stopping unless I do. He marks his territory with his lungs and legs; we haven’t found the limit yet. Today’s run, a short shake-out after a busy week, led us back onto familiar trails. One skirts a wide hole left, I imagine here at this former military training ground, by exploding ordinance. Bristol lifted off behind me, and hit the trail ahead running at full speed, an athlete reaching his prime.
AFTER THE DELUGE
Volunteers gathered Saturday morning to clean up the debris, litter and limbs left scattered by recent flooding over the Cottonwood Trail section of the Edwin P. Griffin Preserve. Some crews worked to rebuild spur trails that flood waters two weeks ago turned to gullies. Others cleared mud from the boardwalk, evidence that water made a historic topping of the wooden structure. Loads of trash that washed into Lawson's Fork Creek was removed. On the pulse side, the preserve is open and looking great. Water in the wetlands is the clearest I can recall, giving a great view of life on the bottom pond. So go out for a walk. GH
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
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1 comment:
I've been hearing spring birds early this year too!
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