Spring Things

Today was a gorgeous day. Bright and sunny, with temperatures hovering around 57. The steady breezes of earlier in the week seem to have abated some.

At work, in fact, we're making a spring transition. As the days warm up, we don't need to turn the heat on before guests arrive and sometimes even prop a door to outside open once they do. Before long, though, we'll be relying on the AC to keep things comfortable. For now, these days are lovely.

Out in the garden there, these German bearded irises are blooming and how could I resist offering them as the latest entry in the 2008 Spring Purple Parade?

On another front, I've been a little remiss in sharing with you. About two weeks ago I made a video clip of one of my favorite things about this time of year: the spring peeper.

Living in the Adirondacks, the sound of these tree frogs was my annual indicator that spring truly was upon us, as their song usually coincides with the warmer rains and nights of a certain temperature (usually around 50F is when it starts). Generally, it was a song that you'd hear momentarily, as you drove or walked past some vernal pond or wetland area.

At our last place, in Eastham, we were living right on the pond and so we had the chance to get to know them a little up close and personal. They would find their way from the big natural pond up to our little plastic koi pond. On particularly rainy nights, we found them clinging to the sides of the house and the screen door.

Each spring there'd one frog who'd start. (The first link above includes recordings of the singular call, as well as the sound of the masses) He'd sing for a night or two, tentatively at first and then more decisively, as others began to emerge and add their calls to his song...and before long, a delightful natural cacophony that's part car alarm and part the sound of alien spaceships in the 60s, but at a distance often mistaken for crickets.

We found they would sing on and off throughout the summer, unless it was too hot or too cold. During the height of their spring emergence, they can be quite loud. We discovered during those times it was almost impossible to talk on the phone outside, or near an open window.

They're easier to track down when there's only one or two singing. When they're all doing their thing, it's crazy-making to try. You won't see any on this clip, but click on the "peeper" tag below and you'll find some photos from previous years.

I miss living so near to them this year; I'd grown accustomed to them. Now I'm back to only hearing them as I drive by or distantly while I'm out walking with Em in the evening. So when I found this pond not far from work, how could I resist capturing it?

With no further adieu, I present the spring peepers:

8:52 AM

Here's a few more signs that spring is well underway here.

* Those sunflower seedlings which have appeared (a nice percentage, considering the age of the seeds) are now beginning to show secondary leaves. This means it's time to ditch the dud pots, get these seedlings into slightly larger pots and then get a fresh wave of seeds planted this week. It may also be time to get some sweet allyssum seeds scattered along the borders of the actual garden bed.

* We began our Saturday with a short thunderstorm that brought along some hail as an additional bonus. Rain showers are in the forecast for the rest of the day, as well.

* There's a algae-clogged filter from the fish pond soaking in the kitchen sink, waiting to be rinsed out.

* A reduced-speed warning was recently posted for mariners in the waters off the Outer Cape, as a group of about 50 to 70 right whales have been spotted feeding out there. The New York Times features a story this morning about why this is important.

* Various clumps of daylily foliage throughout the garden are getting downright large. In an effort to keep up, most of the other perennials are showing additional, if still less-noticeable (to the unaccustomed eye) signs of growth.

Whatta Day...

Heading into work this foggy morning, I saw yet another sign of spring, as this road sweeper appeared out of the mist. It was a delightful ride, as the sun began to poke through the thinning clouds overhead.

Accepting the fact that the hungry bunnies are enjoying the crocuses in the home garden (and honestly, how can I blame them for taking advantage of a new thing...it's like I opened a restaurant just for them. I'll try additional protections and also a little faith that they'll find things to nibble elsewhere as the season unfolds.), I knew I'd need to find other ways to celebrate the Festival of St. Crocii...and there's a front yard in Brewster which had caught my eye recently. By the time I arrived there, the sun was growing stronger...and there was a wonderful show of crocuses, with a few daffodils and glory of the snow thrown in as a bonus.



Man, a spread like that is every bulb gardener's dream, huh? Something about a great colony of bulbs like this just makes my heart sing! (Wild things, I think I love you...)


The work day was seasoned with a variety of great responses to the 100 List, which was fun (if you haven't read it yet, just scroll on down)...and a steadily rising temperature only sweetened the pot!

First it was 55, incomparably delightful in its own right. And then 58...and then 63, 64...back down to 63 again...and finally, a high of 65 right around dinnertime! Woo freaking hoo!!

Above left is a pair of the crocuses which have someone gone uneaten, and aren't they lovely. And I leave you with some glorious late afternoon sun on one of my favorite pansies.