Sounds and sights of spring
Some welcome sounds are coming from numerous places in the yard. The almost melodious rattle of the juncos alerts us to seasonal changes now beginning to unfold. Our yards are coming to life even as winter tries to hang on. The robin’s one-note challenge is one of the best sounds of spring. He isn’t singing yet. He’s telling other robins within hearing distance that he is claiming territory. These are welcome voices when you return to the Northwest after a long escape to Hawaii. A walk around the yard confirms what you suspected and were hoping for. Spring is busting out all over.
This is the best time of the year to take stock of the plants that bloom in late winter and early spring. The yellow blossoms on the witch hazel assure me that the hummingbirds had this plant when snow and ice challenged them. Many of you have other winter-blooming plants that are popular with your hummers. As the days slip by, even more plants will burst into bloom.
It won’t be long before the house finches start nibbling on the plum tree’s blossoms. Our old-fashioned Japanese plum began opening its flowers in February. The primroses bloomed all winter and while I have never seen a hummingbird feeding on them, I suspect they might. These wonderful little plants, which bloom even when snow is dumped on them, provided a happy surprise several days ago. While prowling through the gardens I spotted a honeybee crawling through their flowers. An active honeybee in February is unusual and if they can find nourishment on these flowers, why couldn’t a hummingbird?
