I can feel winter drawing to a close. The Bewick's swans are quite sleepy now, a sign that they will soon take to the skies and make that mammoth journey back to Arctic Siberia. Thirty left last night, and the conditions are good for more to leave tonight and tomorrow. It's such a privilege to see them so close, from the hide in the picture they are often just a few feet away. In their summer breeding grounds they will be quite remote, never seeing a person or a building. I'm hoping it's a good year for them and that lots return in October.
The weather was glorious today. After school it was just me and the littlest boy for a while so we headed outside. I mowed the grass, which turned out to be surprisingly long. The littlest boy did things to wood with a hacksaw. He and the middle boy live for the day when they're allowed a hatchet. Me not so much. Underneath all of the thick growth the grass was sparse and the moss was thick. I doubt I'll do anything about it, I'm not too bothered so long as there is some sort of green covering. A robin flew down after I'd finished and picked about finding something or other to eat. I can't imagine covering the grass with moss killer and then watching the wildlife walking about in it.
In the pond I could see definite movement, and when I looked out of an upstairs window earlier I'm sure I saw something jumping in. In the kitchen I opened the drawer and looked at the packets of seeds. Soon, soon.
I think all little boys want to be trusted with instruments of chopping. Mine got his first (small) pocketknife for Christmas this year and it's now a constant companion. He will cut virtually anything, so I'm watching carefully. I'm glad spring is coming back to your part of the world. It was just about here until today, when it started snowing again, but I think the return to winter will be short-lived.
ReplyDeleteSpring is definitely on the way! :-)
ReplyDeleteAren't boys just the best. They live life on full-speed ahead mode.
Very spring like here today too - I put the washing out and stood for a while just looking at the blue sky; it was lovely. I love the bird watching photos and that's a nice load of kindling that you've got there. You've reminded me that I really must get around to sorting out the greenhouse before it's seed sowing time. I always seem to leave it to the last minute! Enjoy the rest of the week. xx
ReplyDeleteit would be wonderful to watch bird fly away for the season like that - what a magnificent journey they are about to take! and then to watch for the first green shoots on dormant bare trees - I love the change of seasons too.
ReplyDeleteYes. Hatchets. I heard a weird rumbling sound upstairs yesterday and shouted up to see what that was all about. Just a toy saw. Sawing away on the bunk-bed. Will have to keep an eye on the tools this summer! It's melty here right now but I'm not one to be sucked in by fair weather in February. We are known to have big snow storms and cold into April--March is very unpredictable too but enjoying this while it lasts :)
ReplyDelete" He and the middle boy live for the day when they're allowed a hatchet. Me not so much." I couldn't agree more. For this reason, when a pocket knife was given from father to son I was not initially told. They started to go camping without me and the first burns and cuts were acquired. Don't watch Mom, don't watch.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images of Spring returning, the birds are a beautiful sight and how amazing they are.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
Yes, spring is so close now, I can definitely feel it. I agree about the lawn. Ours is very diverse and full of moss, clover, daisies and dandelions, but we keep it pretty short and it looks ok as far as I'm concerned. Much better for wildlife, and less time-consuming for us. I'm glad that you and your boys are enjoying bird-watching, and remember my son (now 19) chopping up sticks and things with his pocket knife - such fun.
ReplyDeleteCathy x
A nice post and good pictures. I saw a few ladybirds out in the sunshine yesterday. As you say...soon. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to watch Bewick's swans set off on their migration. It's a link to something magical, isn't it? There's a frost here this morning but the birds are definitely ramping up their twittering. I'm not sure if it's the light or the busy birds but there's definitely a change in the air, even if it is brrr cold. Yes, seeds – soon! Sam x
ReplyDeleteIt is an epic journey the Bewicks make. I always think of them arriving but not departing. I can remember February half term weeks so sunny and warm I was lured to cut the grass. But not this year. Watch out for fingers and knives. I remember my husband and I were busy erecting a shed at the allotment with the children playing around and the next thing I knew my son who had been practising his woodwork with a variety of tools including a penknife was streaming with blood. Luckily a fellow allotmenteer drove us home (we'd all cycled there) and I was able to clean and 'butterfly stick' the wound. I felt like such a bad parent, but he survived. Red epicure broad beans and two packets of sweet peas were sown here at the weekend and shallots have been planted. I won't do anymore now until after the potatoes have been planted as then I will be continuously sowing until August.
ReplyDeleteOur two got their first chopping kindling with a hand axe session when they were ten and twelve. I had to restrict myself to the kitchen. No limbs were lost but I imagined all sorts xx
ReplyDeleteIsn't it it nice how the winter comes to a close? I particularly enjoy the longer daylight. I no longer need bike lights when I go to work. I feel your hatchet worries.... I remember discovering Sam with a huge axe once when he was about 8. We were on a camping trip and someone had left one sitting around, complete with wood to chop. xx
ReplyDeleteso exciting to see the signs of spring. I am impatiently waiting.
ReplyDeleteAh, little boys just love tools, especially dangerous ones!!!! Enjoy your beautiful signs of Spring.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
it felt like spring here this past weekend...but now we're in the grip of a winter storm so clearly it was a false-start. Still, all thoughts have turned to gardening and musing over seeds...
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised any person would want to get rid of moss...it's green and lovely and doesn't require mowing. Not to mention the faery folk...;)
I'll be happily watching you transform into spring...living vicariously until it makes an appearance [for real] here. xo
Lovely photos CJ... thinks are slowly waking up.. soon..it will be soon :o) xx
ReplyDeleteI remember when my three sons were 10, 6, and 4. One day while working in the kitchen I happened to glance out the window and could see the older two, standing in the yard, staring up into the blue spruce. Mother sense caused me to open the door and ask where little brother was. Up the tree was the reply, and sure enough, the top of the 25" tree was wobbling back and forth. "young man, get down out of that tree," I said (calmly?) and then "Why on earth did you let him climb the tree?" "We figured if the smallest could make it without falling, we could too." Well! He did make it to the top, but they didn't.....
ReplyDeleteLovely signs of the ending of winter! I hope that spring comes soon I have to say! I can totally see why a mother would be worried about the day of the hatchet, I would be worried too. I worry when my husband uses a big saw! xx
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me how the birds make such long journeys twice a year. Seeing your son cutting up wood reminds me of my son's play group he went to before starting school. They used to have real hammers, saws and vinces to use. You wouldn't see that these days would you? Luckily he wasn't very keen in it! Sarah
ReplyDeleteYour photograph of the swans is just beautiful. A bright sunny day here too and I at last got a good morning garden clearing.
ReplyDeleteYour photograph of the swans is just beautiful. A bright sunny day here too and I at last got a good morning garden clearing.
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteI've been in and out of the garden this week. Inspecting, mulching and watching. Olly has a small hacksaw too. And he's rather fond of my loppers.
Leanne xx