Happy New Year!

With only 77 more days until the first day of Spring; if this is a sign of things to come, count me in.

The reality is that even though my front yard is seemingly filled with birds I have come to recognize as signs of spring, it really is still winter in the Ozarks. In fact, winter really just began less than two weeks ago. We all know how annoying it is when Walmart puts out Christmas decorations before Halloween, but I just can’t help rushing the season—this season.

Granted the days are getting longer, even if the change is almost imperceptible. But what quite apparent is the appearance of Eastern Bluebirds, Robins, and even a Cedar Waxwing, the first I have seen here in all the 14 years we’ve lived here filling the front yard. Turns out it was just warm enough with the sun shining brightly to melt a little of the ice in the bird bath.

Flashes of blue filled the front yard as dozens of bluebirds flew from one tree branch to another, resting awhile on a tall bush before returning to the bird bath again and again. While most of them relished the drinking water supply, some felt the need to do their own version of the polar plunge as they plopped into the middle and played in the water. It is always great fun to watch my feathered friends, but to see these springtime birds frolicking in the water, well, the sight made this season so much more bearable as we await my favorite season of all—Spring. It won’t be long now.With only 77 more days until the first day of Spring; if this is a sign of things to come, count me in.

The reality is that even though my front yard is seemingly filled with birds I have come to recognize as signs of spring, it really is still winter in the Ozarks. In fact, winter really just began less than two weeks ago. We all know how annoying it is when Walmart puts out Christmas decorations before Halloween, but I just can’t help rushing the season—this season.

Granted the days are getting longer, even if the change is almost imperceptible. But what quite apparent is the appearance of Eastern Bluebirds, Robins, and even a Cedar Waxwing, the first I have seen here in all the 14 years we’ve lived here filling the front yard. Turns out it was just warm enough with the sun shining brightly to melt a little of the ice in the bird bath.

Flashes of blue filled the front yard as dozens of bluebirds flew from one tree branch to another, resting awhile on a tall bush before returning to the bird bath again and again. While most of them relished the drinking water supply, some felt the need to do their own version of the polar plunge as they plopped into the middle and played in the water. It is always great fun to watch my feathered friends, but to see these springtime birds frolicking in the water, well, the sight made this season so much more bearable as we await my favorite season of all—Spring. It won’t be long now.