Saturday, March 15, 2008

Hello Spring!

OK, here it is.....photographic confirmation of the arrival of spring in my backyard:
Yup, my robins are back! (words cannot even describe how happy this makes me)

There were two in my crabapple tree and one even visited the birdbath on the deck. He must have been here last year because he seemed pretty comfortable in these surroundings.

The weatherman is predicting a sunny weekend with highs in the mid-30's for both days. Even the predictions of possible "significant accumulation" of snow for Monday can't diminish my enthusiasm for the next two days of spring-like weather.

Oh yeah, I had a common grackle at my feeders today also. The huge flocks of them drive me nuts in the summer, but the first one is still a welcome sign of spring. I'll keep you posted on the arrival of other spring birds this weekend.....I'm sure there are going to be more!

25 comments:

Beth said...

What a pretty robin. Welcome Spring!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Whooo HOOOOOOO such fun seeing those robins coming in for the spring/summer.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind people not to be driving too fast through neighborhoods that have robins as they become so obcessed with their territorial disputes they often fight in the middle of the road. I just hate to see a big strong robin squashed in the road due to territorial disputes. Such a waste. I was thinking about this just today because the robins around here are becoming very territorial and are fighting like game cocks. They think of nothing else. Especially not their own safety.

Anonymous said...

Glad the robins finally found your yard. The robins here haven't found the bird bath, they just drink and bathe in the puddles from all the melting snow.
Mom

Ruth said...

I saw my first robin here last year on Mar 13. But not this year! We saw two Red-winged blackbirds today though...that's a start.

Meggie said...

Hey Ruthie! The robins are here in PA also. I noticed them last week during my morning walk around the lake. Isn't it funny how such a small bird can make us so hugely happy? Maybe because it gives us HOPE...of spring and otherwise. PS: Thanks for the tip on the word cloud. I'm headed over there to see what mine will look like.

Mary C said...

Hi Ruthie - We've been having robins visit for a few weeks now. But to get a good photo has been a challenge. I watched one bathing in our bird bath in our front yard one morning, but no camera in hand. :( I'm so glad to hear the robins have reached your area. It MUST be spring!

Jayne said...

Robins are always a sure sign for me too Ruthie. :c) So happy to see them back.

Anonymous said...

I want you to know that I haven't seen (or heard) a robin yet but I have my very own "sign of spring". It was so nice when I got home from work on Thursday that I washed by car on the driveway with the hose and a bucket!! It felt SO GOOD to get all the winter grime off the 'ol girl. Tammy (the Taurus) was pretty happy about it too :)

Richard said...

No Ribins yet but I have a Chipmunk and a Raccoon...lol.

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Now just send those robins up toward the Twin Cities . . . . I haven't seen or heard any robins yet, but the cardinals have gotten really loud, and the woodpeckers are calling and knocking like crazy. Who knows, maybe this longest of winters will finally end.

me ann my camera said...

Growing up the Robin was probably the only bird that I could identify. Doesn't everyone know a Robin by sight? So I find it rather strange each spring when I see my first Robin that I always think to myself, "What is that most amazingly beautiful bird with such a vibrant red breast?" No matter how many springs I see one the experience of that first sighting leaves me with a sense of renewed joy.

Meanwhile I shall vicariously enjoy the photos of yours for mine have not yet returned.

LauraHinNJ said...

Yay! Robins on the lawn means Spring!

Anonymous said...

Just in time for spring! How wonderful and a great shot of the robin! I have been trying all spring this year to photograph them!

RuthieJ said...

Hi Beth,
That robin was a sure a welcome sight. He even sang a little bit for me.

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the reminder to watch for those crazy robins flying across the road. We've had some close calls too.

Hi Mom,
Not many puddles left around here--most of the melting snow has started soaking into the ground.

Hi Ruth,
I've been keeping a nature diary since 2002 and this is the latest I've recorded the robin arrival--so far it looks like we're only about a week behind average.

Hi Meggie,
I think by the way the birds are singing, they're as happy about the spring-like weather as the humans are!

Hi Mary C,
Aren't robins fun to watch in the birdbath? They're very enthusiastic splashers!

Hi Jayne,
Good to hear from you--no bad storms in your area of Georgia I hope??

Hi Anonymous--are you my sissy?

Hi Richard,
I think a chipmunk is a good sign of spring too!

Hi Tracy,
I'm sure the robins are on their way....I only saw them for one day so that must mean their northward journey continues. I'm watching for signs of life now in my perennial gardens.

Hi M&MC,
You're right about the robin....when I worked at Wild Birds Unlimited that really was the one bird no one ever misidentified. It's wonderful to hear their sweet song again after so many months.

Hi Laura,
Looks like we'll be ready for the "official" first day of spring this Thursday!

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Mon@rch. He landed in the crabapple tree right outside the dining room window and grabbed the few remaining fruits while catching some early morning rays. I had to move pretty slowly because he was so close I was afraid I'd spook him.

Mary said...

Hi Ruthie,

Even though Robins over-winter here, I'm always happy to see them as a reminder of Springtime!

I find it hard to believe that 30's is a warming trend...my goodness :o/

I haven't seen the Grackles yet but THAT'S OK. LOL!

Mary

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'm your sissy, anonymously!

Dave Dorsey said...

Robins winter over here also. My what nice colors your has in the pix's.

KGMom said...

Ruthie--our robins came back early this year. Hmmmm--climate change?
As for grackles, I saw a story on NBC news last night about a HUGE flock somewhere in the UK where people come to watch it fly. It dips and wheels, turns, forming lovely patterns. The flock of thousands of grackles moves as if one organism. So, even unlovely birds can be lovely.
Since I have been without my laptop (and am working on a temporary one) I have missed a whole lot of blogging! And reading, but I am back.

Marsha said...

Those poor robins in the snow today. How cool that the robins have made it to southern MN...I'll be on the lookout here. So far, I've only seen the grackels arrive and the little redpolls have left.

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! I understand your happiness! It seems like years since I've seen a robin - yours are the first this season. I love how the sun is shining
on Robin Redbreast!

RuthieJ said...

Hi Mary,
Saturday was nice enough to even hang some laundry on the outside clothesline. It was nice to be out there and hear birds singing plus I don't have to wear snowboots to get to the clothesline anymore!

Hi Dave,
I think some robins overwinter here in some sheltered spots, but I didn't see them.
P.S. Photoshop Elements is what I used to "warm up" the colors in that picture a little bit. It's fun software to use.

Hi Donna,
I saw that same clip about starlings on the Nightly News--to see them fly like that was quite beautiful.
Good luck catching up on blogging and I hope you get your own computer back soon.

Hi Marsha,
I never did get to see any redpolls at my feeders this winter, but I did notice that my Tree Sparrows have departed since last weekend's FeederWatch count.

Hi April,
I hope our weather stays nice for a while so those poor robins feel more welcome.

Robin (Bumblebee) said...

And what a chubby robin it is!

We have them all winter long, although not in abundance. They prefer to feed in the field rather than at the feeder.

Robin at Bumblebee

Cathy said...

Oh Ruth! I'm delighted for you. I heard my first backyard Robin yesterday. I know what you mean. It makes your heart sing.

Unfortunately it's sleeting tonight:0(

Larry said...

Robins love to take bird baths. I've seen one Robin do two or three baths in a row!