In Pursuit of Wonder

The world of birds is stunning and filled with wonderment. There is a wide variety in color, patterns, shapes and sizes. Each species unique in song and behavior. Bird watching is fascinating and rewarding. This year I have taken more time to learn the birds I see, though I still…

I am elated to hear the first high-pitched, rapid trill of the male’s call in late April. I was especially thrilled when I first heard this sure sign of spring this year. It is the pronouncement that winter is over as hundreds of American toads have exited the burrows in…

Monday, we were planting in the garden. Suddenly, our dog, Spencer started barking. He was standing in tall grass, barking at the ground. Allie, our other dog, stood by him. She wasn’t barking but intently looking at whatever disturbed Spencer. We told him to stop barking, he didn’t listen.  Mom…

It was strange. I was sitting in the visitor center at Whitewater State Park, looking out the windows at the bird feeders. I love to just watch the birds. Suddenly, something startled the birds away. At first, I thought it had been me. Then I saw something furry on the…

It was a warm sunny day. The bees were extremely active. Their pollen baskets were loaded.  The outsides of the hives were speckled yellow from the pollen the busy bees were carrying into the hives. I added a super to one hive. The bees seemed fairly calm and weren’t threatening,…

The weather was finally warm enough for morel mushrooms! On Sunday evening, Jesse and I went hunting for these delicious, and increasingly valuable mushrooms. We drove the four-wheeler through the pasture to a place Jesse called the point. We parked it near a gate to yet another pasture. Jesse had…

Eagerly, I would watch for them in the spring, generally at the beginning of May. When I was a child, I awaited the arrival of these tiny flowers with great anticipation. First I would see the heart shaped leaves in the lawn, mostly under trees, once I spotted the leaves…

Out on my morning walks in spring, I often hear the distinctive gobble of male turkeys long before I see them.  The wild turkey’s call will carry over a mile, alerting other males to its location and calling females. Their hearing is excellent.  Their eyesight is three times better than…

April 12. The morning was overcast, with sprinkles off and on. I walked in the light showers. There was such a fantastic smell in the air. I delighted in the few sprinkles occasionally colliding with my face bringing refreshment. Turkeys were still calling. As I was returning, the sky seemed…

Crocus Bursting out of the still cold ground dressed brightly and cloaked in purple, white, and yellow they stood defiantly and elegant. A splash of color amongst brown, dead leaves and grass and the remnants of snow banks. Their faces open to the March sunshine. They were fairy cups, delicate…