A short ode to Spring

Fish crows have a simple call “nuh- uh.” They don’t seem to like anything other than seeming to enjoy exchanging that phrase with me. It reminds me of a faculty meeting.

Today was a day where Spring started its slow process of waking up out of its winter torpor.

Spring is like a teenager, during this phase of the seasonal cycle, who doesn’t want to get out of bed, but has to because their biorhythm requires peeing. After that short relief, Spring goes back under the covers.

Spring is always a time for reflection, too. The color is not vibrant yet. The tree branches are still naked (as demonstrated by the pic), too.

The birds are back in business. I heard 19 species singing this morning (check out the Merlin app if you want to hear the symphony of bird calls you probably have been missing). And, our bird feeder needs refilling daily.

About 1,000 cormorants, hovered over by their gull chaperones, were enjoying Lake Jeanette today, too. Lake Jeanette is their favorite rest stop on the migration turnpike, just like Howard Johnson’s was in the 1960s when I was a kid traveling the Pennsylvania turnpike. They bring true joy

Several turtles, nature’s representation of autistic people, were out of their shell today warming on logs in the lake. They decided to take a swim when they spied Brea on the path. Turtles have not recognized that Brea is a therapy dog. But, then turtles don’t need therapy because they can withdraw inside themselves to “soar fearlessly, inside themselves. Small dome of safe, starless heaven” (Claudia Emerson’s poem, Biology Lesson)

I have been talking with a fish crow all day. Fish crows have a simple call “nuh- uh.” They don’t seem to like anything other than seeming to enjoy exchanging that phrase with me. It reminds me of a faculty meeting.

Today was a day to remember how lucky I am and to share infinite gratitude with nature.