The News from Kenabeek

Well, I began the day watching the snow as I drank my morning tea. Much more interesting than it sounds – there was a gusty breeze, so the snow changed from gentle flakes drifting down, to undulating veils of snow, to swirls that precisely outlined the movements of the wind, changing changing constantly. The flakes moving so obediently in harmony with the wind’s currents reminded me strongly of the way flocks of birds, or schools of fish, move so precisely and beautifully together.

On a more mundane note, we didn’t get that much snow, maybe half an inch so far. The weather reports were, as usual, needlessly dramatic. And this was supposed to be the bad day, followed by a few more days with flurries on and off.

And I’m pleased to report seeing juncoes at the feeder today — I don’t feel spring is really coming until I see them. Actually, not at but under the feeder. Also, two tree sparrows have showed up, skirmishing with the chickadees for possession of the feeder. They fluttered at each other a few times, then resigned themselves to sharing. What with the birds, and the longer days, and more intense light, I can deal with a little snow. Just an ordinary April!