Hello Spring

Hello Spring, you have arrived, and much sooner than expected. On the morning walk throught the park this morning with Duncan, I saw the beautiful, brilliant sparkling waters of Silver Lake, now almost completely ice free. It's been awhile, and how I've missed the water. And, it's only March 28th. This is a highly unusual event and a most welcome happening. The stubborn lake ice usually holds on with all it's might until mid to late April, but I knew it would only be a few days until the cranky ice was gone. The open water went from a few inches from the shoreline at the beginning of last week to several feet by Friday, but there was still the big frozen ice layer looking all menacing and scary, black and greenish and dull. Spooky. Lake ice just before it finally breaks up is always scary looking. Yesterday morning, the lake was probably 33% ice free, amazing me with is quick dissapearance. Today under a blue sky and brillant sun there was a boat out on the newly open water, people fishing off the bow. Amazing.

The geese and ducks were happily paddling about to and fro. They are just beginning to nest out on the island. The geese lay on the nest for a month until the goslings break out of their shells. Can you imagine laying on anything for an entire month? Wow. What a loyal and steadfast parents they are. But then geese are in many ways very different from any other bird. I look foward to seeing the little goslings all covered in soft yellow down. Beautiful, they always are, and they grow so fast.

I saw several kinds of birds this morning, among so many the ones that stand out is the fat robin, the cunning blue jay, a cute little chickadee, and then just as we were about to leave, the red tailed hawk. Amazing. Wonderful. Wish I could be flying, soaring like that hawk does. It is an honor and a privilege to see birds of prey in my neighborhood, we are truly blessed.

And now on with the day, some rest and relaxation on the agenda. After a night of ghost hunting, I think we all need it. More to come on that after we review all the evidence. It was and adventure, as always. I think this new hobby will turn in to something very cool and exciting.