Kelly DuMar

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#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

April in the woods

. . . O bluebird, welcome back again,
Thy azure coat and ruddy vest
Are hues that April loveth best,–
Warm skies above the furrowed plain. . .

~ Excerpt from “The Bluebird,” by John Burroughs

April in the woods

All the tall, tall hard woods over the house and towering in the woods are in white or red or yellow buds. I walk past the garden in the field and spot a favorite––a bright bluebird. And next to him, a goldfinch. It’s a lively morning of birds in the garden and field. It's a gorgeous morning, and I don’t have to rush. I find a lovely maple wing like a lollypop. I walk to the trestle bridge and find some lovely tree bark. Under the bridge, I admire the reds and purples of the graffiti, and then realize it’s the same as lush color of the photo with the maple wing. I return to the yard and rake a bit. I am raking the rusty needles and leaves that have fallen over my large patch of lily of the valley that are just starting to come up, and I’m careful not to break them as I free them from the mess. Late May their scent will intoxicate. I’m so happy the bluebirds are here. I think they have nested in the box Frank built near the garden. Tonight we talked a bit about his 60th birthday coming in July. Just the beginning of making a plan to celebrate.

Habitat

Eastern Bluebirds live in meadows and openings surrounded by trees that offer suitable nest holes. With the proliferation of nest boxes and bluebird trails, bluebirds are now a common sight along roads, field edges, golf courses, and other open areas.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/id#