Musings on Very Early Spring

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I lifted my eyes from my book without moving my head to watch the Chickadee alight on the log in front of me, cock his head, then straighten up and sing a few notes of Spring. He again cocked his head my way, then hopped forward to select a seed, considered a second seed, then flew off with a slight whir of his wings. A second Chickadee immediately landed and studied me, while I studied her. From 30 inches, each feather, even every barb of each feather, was clearly discernible, so small, so complete, so perfect.

I can’t quite come up with the word for how it makes me feel, but it is somehow soul-filling to be able to watch so closely. It’s the same feeling I have when I smell the fragrance of hemlock needles drenched with warm sunlight or listen to a Winter Wren warble it’s fairytale song.

Most of our yard is still covered with about four inches of snow, but the bare patches are growing daily. Yesterday I discovered a clump of snowdrops, still closed but nearly ready to open. They still weren’t quite open today, but have expanded enough that the green on the inside is now partially visible– a promise of warmth, sunshine, and the coming greening of the earth.

4 Replies to “Musings on Very Early Spring”

  2. I love chickadees. My brother used to sit on our back porch with birdseed in his hand and if he would sit still enough they would actually land on his hand to eat.

    When I try to photograph them, I can basically get right near them. All the other birds fly away if you get too close.

    They are such friendly little birds. 🙂

  3. Beautiful chickadee and snowdrops. It's been so wonderful these past few sunny days to hear the drip of melting snow. Nothing like the assurance that spring will come.

  4. Where you say you can't quite explain how it makes you feel to see and hear and smell such wonderful things in God's creation.. I can relate. I guess it makes me feel loved, and grateful, and I definitely feel a longing for heaven… where everything will be even MORE real! It's hard to imagine that.