Signs of spring are everywhere. Rusty heard the ‘pete’ of the woodcock; this is his mating whistle spiraling in the air. The robins are flitting here and there. The red-winged blackbirds and multiple Vs of the Canada goose are high and low. Even the bees are out collecting nectar.
You may ask, what is flowering in March? Dale, our bee keeping friend, dropped by to see how our hive survived winter and he mentioned that skunk cabbage is the first flower to provide food to the honeybee here in western Pennsylvania.
Sure enough, when we hiked Quiet Creek’s nature trail last week, Walker excitedly spotted the purple cone poking through the dried leaves on the forest floor with his favorite insect doing her work. Nearby, the dandelion look-a-like, Coltsfoot, is showing its bright yellow face. Tulips, daffodils, and crocus are following in its footsteps.
Each spring we anxiously await the sound of peepers, an early morning turkey gobble, and the peewees pee weeing. It is time for new beginnings, another chance at a garden of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. In addition, we can count on Rusty asking his annual question, “Why do we spend all winter chipping ice and cutting wood?”
The answer is quickly revealed; we step outside and take a deep breath of fresh, spring air. Spring has come to Quiet Creek!