Coffee Time! #14 Spring Thoughts.

Hello everyone! Well, here we are, April 8th already, time is flying by. However, spring still seems far away with temperatures the last few days getting down to around 5F (-15C), feeling even colder with that north wind blowing. And the temperature staying well below freezing even during the day.

Today we might make it above freezing by a degree or two, but by Friday it should start to feel like spring again. There are a lot of our Canada geese back once again, and both the Herring and Ring-Billed gulls are back, though not in large numbers yet.

Sir George, my favorite Herring Gull.

But it is nice to see them flying around again, a sure sign that spring must be close. And, on Saturday I heard my first American robin of spring, sitting in a tree across the street singing so beautifully. I love to hear the robins singing.

American Robin.

They are a real sign that spring is here. Although this robin might be rethinking his idea of coming back so early. He should have waited another week. I didn’t get to see him, though, until he flew from his perch. But each morning he is back, singing so nicely. Listening to him singing made me start to think about a lot of my favorite springtime critters that I always enjoy to see when they return in the spring.

Chipmunk sitting on my leg.

Like the little chipmunks. They don’t really go anywhere, they just stay in their little underground homes all winter, sleeping most of the time, and eating the rest of the time. They don’t really hibernate, since they keep getting up to eat.

They would be out by now since most of the snow is gone, although on these colder days we have been experiencing, they would likely stay home again. But it is always such a joy to see them in the spring. Then there are other birds that show up too, like the Purple finch.

Young male Purple Finch.

They sometimes stay all winter and it seems to be more common all the time, but mostly they go further south and return in early spring. Always nice to see their bright red color, which is usually a reddish red on the older males and pinker red on the younger males.

And soon the grackles should be returning as well, probably this weekend as warmer temperatures return too. They have such beautiful colors when seen directly in the sun at closer range. That sun really makes them shine!

Common Grackle.

And, of course, it is always fun to see the first butterflies of the season. Here the first one is normally the Mourning Cloak since they overwinter as an adult butterfly. There is so much more to look forward to in the spring, this is just a small sampling of some favorite things of mine.

Mourning Cloak.

Well, guess it is time to get back at my spring cleaning. It is taking a long time since I don’t do much each day, and I skip days too while I get some other things done. Have a great day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2025 Steve McLeod.