Mouse Trails

Since the snow melted, you can see mouse trails along the farm. It's like there are miles and miles of these trails. The mice must have made them when the snow covered the ground. It's amazing to see. And a tad scary to contemplate how many mice are underneath me as I stand gazing at their trails.

The mice populations have been increasing. I know they have cycles and they must be getting to another peak population. I think this is why we have been seeing so many different smaller raptors: Sparrow hawks, and I was sure I spotted two peregrine falcons, and there have been a couple of owls hanging around too.

Of Figs and Birds

My balcony has been filled with birds. Their calls wake me in the morning, and all day I can hear them rustling around. The balcony floor is full of husks. When it warms up, which seems to be taking ia long time, I will go out and sweep and clean. The plants are all covered with bits of fabric, towels, old blankets, whatever I had in hand, to cover the plants and protect them from frost. I know a few plants may not make it. The geraniums, which I have overwintered for years, are all dead. I am worried about the big fig tree, but I have a young cutting started, so I will have figs if worse comes to worse.

I had to stay in town this weekend, so I am trying to make the best of it, but it is not the same. I miss the long open spaces, and my walks, but the birds on my balcony carry with them an echo of the fields and skies, so I persevere.

How Far Spring?

At the Farm:

This morning I saw the short woodpecker. He was walking upside down along the bottom of the bird feeder, stealing sunflower seeds and flying off with them.

I can see the garden now. Everything has been killed by the frost and snow. I dug out the last of the beets and celery and threw them in the berm for he pheasant to eat. I am itching to start my new garden, but so far, only the snowdrops are coming up. On some clumps, I can see the small white buds forming.

I went for a walk today. The snow has melted. It has been foggy for the last couple of days and I could only see a few feet ahead on me. Every now and then a bird would emerge out of the fog and then disappear again. All I could see was a black silhouette and then it was gone.

Winter Walk

Grackles