The “real Spring” is still waiting in the wings, but not for long. The weather forecast has us hitting 71 degrees at the tail end of the week. Well that’s a little silly, isn’t it?
Yesterday, during my walk there were snow flurries swirling around my head. Today, the folks in the northern ‘burbs awoke to 4-5 inches of the white stuff. I sure am glad I don’t live in the northern ‘burbs, I’ll tell you that.
But, before the real Spring officially replaces this imposter Spring we’ve dealt with the past few weeks, this morning I still piled on the perpetual nine layers of clothing to stay warm as the thermometer hovered around the freezing mark. A glimmer of sun gave me the chance to start my walk earlier, and I was happy for that, as I wanted to cross the 200-miles-walked-in-2018 marker today. Happily, at the end of my five-mile walk I did just that.
Before the landscape of the Park turns from monochromatic to the kaleidoscope of colors that Mother Nature will roll out over the next few weeks, I wanted to share this photo of a red-winged blackbird, embedded in the dead reeds. He sure stood out as he practiced his yoga routine – see him doing his downward dog pose.
Well actually, that red-winged blackbird was not practicing yoga, but, instead he was eyeing the peanuts I just laid out for the squirrels. He was preparing to swoop down to get one, and right after I took this photo, he did just that. It’s not the first time he has spied me and grabbed a peanut from under the squirrels’ respective noses. It is likely the two male cardinals watched his technique for grabbing peanuts, since they are snubbing my safflower seeds, opting to snatch a peanut off the path while the squirrels are sitting there munching on them. These birds have no shame! So, I am left holding the bag … of safflower seeds that is.
As I headed off the perimeter path for home and started walking up Pagel Avenue, once again I heard the unmistakable sound of a red-winged blackbird. Their song always reminds me of a meadow in Summertime. I turned around and one seemed to be following me home as he flew over to alight on a tree that was starting to bud.
Evidently, when it comes to the critters in the Park, the way to their hearts is through their stomachs.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Thanks for the reminder that warmer days will come. Eventually. 🙂
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We are all just longing for a traditional Spring. I know the people in the northern suburbs are beside themselves – we have more snow coming tonight, but for me in the southern suburbs, it most likely will be rain – thankfully, though it may halt the walk.
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I love your writings. As I read, I feel I’m right there walking through the park with you. … And kudos on your 200 miles so far! I went out to walk today for the first time this year, but I only walked throughout our neighborhood, probably only a mile; yet, it felt great to be out on the clear, blue sky, 70 degree evening. We’ve had so much rain here in the South. Enjoy your soon coming Spring! 😊
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Thank you – I try to make it sound like my followers are tagging along with me. We will have that one day at 71 degrees that we are all clamoring for, then chilly weather again. I’m going to be excited for Spring at any rate!
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Miss Linda…………………………I still dress for dead winter too when i go for an early morning walk………………………….that snow fall on Monday afternoon was unbelievable……………………………..
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How about this morning Ann Marie – I could not believe how fast the snow came down from the time I left the house until I got the Park and it kept it up. Just amazing. Tomorrow we have a one-day break, and after that cold and rainy again.
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The weather seems to be much better now, but I don´t take nothing for granted, this spring have been the worst I can remember, until coupe of days ago. Now we got warning for storm, and it blow very much and cold winds. It have happened it have snow late May here in southern Sweden…
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John – I was at the Park this morning and this snow squall blew in … the snow was flying furiously and I have been trying to take a picture of a Great Blue Heron, and saw that bird, and wanted the picture, despite the snow. Got a few shots and was excited as he caught a fish while I was watching him through the camera. But the snow kept coming, but not sticking to the ground, just on me! We have 71 tomorrow and the following day back to cold weather again – just crazy for April. We have had snow in late April here in Southeast Michigan, but not in May (to my knowledge anyway).
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Well I never have no idea there was such a thing as a red winged blackbird what a fabulous looking creature
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They are very beautiful Michael and they are near the water where I walk at the Park. They are everywhere and sing beautifully.
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It’s been an imposter spring for sure! 🙂 Many people don’t realize that global warming can cause unusually cold and windy weather in the midwest and other areas.
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I didn’t know that it affected our weather as to cold and wind … the wind has been terrible this year. I have to tell you that in my walk this morning, it started with a few snow showers and picked up in intensity … I saw a Great Blue Heron and got a few shots of him … been trying to get a close-up of a heron for a while. So, I am pretty excited about it. But the snow and the cold – we have 71 tomorrow – and it lingers to the morning, then cold and rainy over the weekend.
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Wow, a red-winged blackbird, never saw that before! Lovely.
Our temp is slowly but surely climbing. Should be around 5 C today. What’s that in F? I have no idea! 😀
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Isn’t it beautiful – it looks like epaulets on its wings. And they have a beautiful singing voice that reminds me of Summer. I just converted 5 C to F and it is 41 F … wait until you see today’s post. It was snowing like crazy and I have some snow in the photo, if you look closely, but I was determined to get a picture of a Great Blue Heron. What a find for me!
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Hey girl! Been busy but will get to your post from today at some point! Re all the snow you’re getting, yuck! Are you near or on edge of the lake? Went out for a bit – was dingy, grey, and windy! No sign of new plant growth or anything. Bleah!
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No, I’m not near a lake, but the Park is right on a Creek, but those snow showers were coming down fast and furiously but not sticking thankfully. Not a forsythia bush out yet – usually that’s a little bit of color – nothing … cold, dingy and windy and ugly!
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Ah. Well sounds similar – ugly! Lol. Hope it passes soon!!!
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Yes me too Ellie. It is depressing weather.
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Omg Linda! 😲 Yesterday was pretty warm and sunny 🌞 near 60F, but the temperature dropped drastically last night. Now we are expecting snow. ❄️
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Snow! Well we will have snow too but in the northern suburbs and a foot of snow in the Upper Peninsula. Winter keeps intervening with Spring bigtime!
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Oh yes! I must admit it’s always cold in the Midwest.😁
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Yes, we must win the lottery and move somewhere warmer and sunnier and with no snow!
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I can’t wait Linda! 🍀😊
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Me neither Iri.
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😊🍀
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