Easter Saturday sure started out soggy and dreary looking, but things eventually perked up once the sun was out. By then, a little sun went a long way and I could not believe my ears when the weatherman said it got to 82 degrees.  Yikes!  I thought it was too hot – let us have Spring already, not rush us into July weather!  But, yes – it was nice of Mother Nature to come through for those who still had to buy last-minute items for the big holiday, and, for some who wanted to take a walk.  I just hope no one bought chocolate bunnies and left them in the car.

I knew it was going to be crummy this morning, so I slept in. That late start threw me off all day – what a creature of habit I have become.  After breakfast, I hopped on my computer to catch up with the news of the world, and, out of force of habit, I meandered over to the April the Giraffe web cam site.  I have visited that site two or three times a day since it was announced April would give birth in late February.  Well admittedly, the vet was a little off, because April finally gave birth this morning, and, wasn’t I lucky to be just checking out the site, when tiny hooves appeared, followed by a nose, ears, and, then one gigantic push by April and out popped the calf who plopped onto the sawdust-covered floor.

While Oliver, the anxious father, watched over his stall door, April was quick to inspect her still-dazed baby, and nuzzle it, and clean it with her long gray tongue. I thought I’d just stay put, my eyes trained on the stall, for a few more minutes, until the calf stood up, but, I found myself, along with over a million other viewers, (according to the tally on the corner of the web cam screen), waiting for the baby giraffe to spring to its feet and bond with its mother.  Slowly, April continued cleaning her offspring and nudged it to move, and it responded to her touch, wiggled its ears, but laid there, seemingly unable to transition to a standing position.  Several attempts had it landing back onto the floor, and, I am sure there were collective gasps by viewers (yes, I gasped or winced too) at each failed try.  But, finally the six-foot tall, 150-pound baby giraffe was triumphant, getting upright, on shaky legs, and soon toddled over to have some of Mom’s milk.

The miracle of life – there is nothing like it, especially when we could witness it before our own eyes.

Since returning to the site tonight, I have discovered the baby is a male, and baby and Mom have been checked over by Dr. Tim, the vet, and are in good shape. There will be a naming contest to be announced by the animal park.  Tonight, I watched the pair as they bonded, and, while the baby nursed, Oliver craned his long neck to not miss anything. I guess he is feeling a little out of the loop now.

Meanwhile, many miles from Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York, the critters and the humans here in Southeast Michigan were enjoying this Easter Saturday.

The birds were joyful, singing their hearts out, like this Starling high in a flowering tree.

The walkers – well, they were joyful too, especially one man who always brings his transistor radio with him to the Park when he walks.   He knows all the words to the songs he sings to.  The gentleman has a song in his heart, and, is so overcome with joy when he sings aloud, that you cannot help but smile whenever he passes by.

The joy of nature and having a song in your heart – it’s a feeling that cannot be beat.

Be joyous for the holiday tomorrow – Happy Easter everyone.