In case I forgot, winter ended just over 2 weeks ago. This morning the temperature was +16F on the back porch. Ice reappeared on several of our ponds. By early afternoon we were in the most glorious snow globe of the year. A swirl of huge flakes filled the sky, and by nightfall the farm was white.
Give me a Gravenstein anyday! April 7, 2026
After much deliberation and consultation, we are fairly certain that we have a male Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) who has at least temporarily moved onto the farm and who spends the majority of his time at the suet feeder. Being only 18” from the kitchen window, we’ve had a lot of time to stare at bird and book. Why are the warblers so hard to tell apart? It’s hard enough telling a Duchess of Oldenburg from a Nutting Bumpus. Or a Deane from a Milwaukee. Or a Brigg’s Auburn from a Northwestern Greening. Argh! Clearly when they made the warblers, it was all about humiliating ornithologists. No question. The warblers make the apples look easy. At least the apples sit still on the table as I stare at them… or cut them up and look at their internal organs.
Night descended on the farm and it was time to take a walk with our injured collie. She cut her foot on something several days ago. Despite the lack of any moon, there was no need for a flashlight. Just follow the dirt driveway which was just warm enough to melt the snow. Everything else was glowing a magical white. Sometimes the world is black and white.