Spring blossoms

Once spring arrives, or once the snow is gone, whichever comes first, Molly and I find ourselves taking short walks around our property several times a day. 

I love wandering across the lawns and checking out growth in my various flower beds.

I just realized, for instance, that our daffodils are in bloom. As I was cutting a few to bring inside, Ken walked over and mentioned he hadn't noticed they were in bloom today. Sometimes we don't stop to enjoy the beauty around us. Our daffodils are usually the last ones in the neighborhood to burst into bloom. I'm not sure why. 

We also noticed that the jack-in-the pulpits, which arrived here when loads of loam were brought in for the lawns ten years ago, are beginning to blossom. I get a kick out of jack-in-the-pulpits. I have a group of three at the back of the house, and I've named them "Jack," "Jack, Jr.," and "Jack, Jr., Jr." 

The forsythia is blooming fully this spring. I remember years ago, we'd be lucky if our forsythia bloomed fully every other year or every two years. The past few years, though, it has looked pretty much as it does this spring. All the forsythia in this area of Maine seem to be especially abundant with blossoms. My forsythia bush is one I purchased as a "baby" at a local supermarket, for about $6.98. I'm pleased to see what it's turning into.

It looks as if this will be a great spring for lilacs, as long as a driving rain doesn't ruin the blossoms once they're open. I checked the lilac bushes yesterday and could see they are heavy with buds. Oh, the scent of lilac blossoms.

I hung out the hummingbird feeder two days ago. The little duffers will be returning any day from their winter digs in Mexico. I read recently that some hummers return via a straight flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Good heavens. Makes me tired just to think of it. The article said they have to "bulk up" before the flight because the journey requires so much energy. I can believe it.

Also, soon the Baltimore orioles will arrive. I love seeing that first oriole of spring. I put out the obligatory orange wedges, of course, but I've found orioles like my special suet cakes even better. There's nothing like an oriole's song in the early morning to lift your spirits.