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Wednesday 24 April 2019

Bits and bobs

The last of the snow from the front lawn is finally melted. We are always the last in the neighbourhood to lose the snow. The long driveway accumulates so much snow which is piled high by the plow. When it finally melts, the lawn is unfamiliar after the long winter.


The clothesline is out in the backyard again and the first clothes have been hung to dry. Comforters, duvet covers, blankets and bed clothes made the first loads. Consecutive days of rain and snow have precluded other loads but with the first sun, drapes will have their turn. That may be a week or more away.


Barbecue season has begun. The barbecue too made the spring migration from the garage to the patio on the last fine day and the first meal has been cooked there. The migration of the patio furniture doesn’t begin for another month or whenever the rain ends.


The neighbourhood crows are courting. This time every spring, the males do their fancy aerial acrobatics for the females. It is common for two or more to vie for a female’s favours, looking as if to dive bomb her, but she doesn’t flinch and appears amused by their antics. The size of the birds makes their acrobatics an attention grabber.


A beaver has moved into the boardwalk area again. The telltale signs around the bridge and the decreased water flow into the stream mean its dam is working. Other walkers have seen him but we haven’t been so lucky. My husband and I showed our granddaughters the chewed off poplar trunks and the dam area before he is shipped out, as was the last beaver who took up residence there. It is amazing the impact such a small animal can have on the environment. 


Finally, on Friday past, Canadian astronaut David St. Jacques had this photo on his Twitter feed, showing the Canadian Maritimes in their spring glory. 



                                                                                                   
NASA photo

St. Jacques is in the last half of his over six month stay at the International Space Station. Prince Edward Island is left of centre in the lower third of the photo. The snow and ice around this gentle little island is almost gone. 


Can blooms and blossoms be far behind?







22 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

That is a cool NASA photo. YAY for the BBQ's. Those beavers are bad critters. Wishing you a happy day!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a great shot of PEI from space! And I hope you're happy about the election results! A minority government can be a good government. Everyone sticks to the middle of the road to keep it going as long as possible.

Shammickite said...

My patio table and chairs made it out to the deck on Monday in lovely sunshine, but it's been dull and damp ever sine. But it's amazing how green the grass is becoming with the rain. Spring is definitely on the way. No beavers here, but there's a muskrat who has wintered in our pond. I'm trying to get a photo of him (or her) but he's elusive!

DJan said...

Thank you for the NASA photo showing me just where PEI is. I have often wondered and now i know! Thanks, Marie. :-)

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

It must be quite joyous to watch familiar scenes emerge from beneath the snow cover. There doesn't look too much snow when you look from space.

William Kendall said...

A magnificent view of our Atlantic region!

Most of the snow is gone here, aside from shady spots.

Elephant's Child said...

That is an amazing shot from space.
I would love to see a beaver - and hope your blooms and blossoms are bounteous.

Bill said...

Awesome NASA image. Spring has come and now you'll be out exploring the usual places. Sounds like fun, I can feel your enthusiasm rising. :)

Barb said...

Your spring is emerging faster than mine, though our grill remains on the deck all winter. We have beaver dams on the small stream near us - they actually create large ponds when left intact.

Laurel Wood said...

Thanks for sharing that interesting NASA pic. So happy you soon will be enjoying spring and outdoor dining. Our weather presently is just about perfect. We tend to get very hot by the first of June.

Joanne Noragon said...

A lovely shot of PEI. I brother in law had the cooker out a month ago, and this weekend I saw the patio umbrella up and saluting.

https://celiasbluecottage.blogspot.com/ said...

Fun to see the scene from space. Still amazes me. WE have a little man-made flood retention lake in the hills above our town with a couple of beavers. Ours are protected so with a little luck we can see them from time to time. We live in a pretty dry region but don't know if that's why we nurture them or if it's some other reason. Your home ground looks so beautiful.

Lowcarb team member said...

WOW! That NASA photograph is amazing.

All the best Jan

Catarina said...

Spring has arrived!
Today was the first day I went out without a winter coat!! : ))

Anvilcloud said...

You are a good observer of nature. we have signs too, but the main one seems to be spring flooding.

Tabor said...

That photo is powerful. I forgot how the island was actually shaped and thought, for some reason, that it was more square. I bet you are thrilled to see signs fo spring.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think before you know it this 🌷🌼🌺🌹💮🌸 will be happening Marie 😊

Debbie said...

the nasa picture is so amazing!! it can't be long now for signs of spring!!

it has been really beautiful here!!!

Mage said...

Oh. I hope not.

Recep Hilmi TUFAN | rehitu.com said...

Nasa's photo is so good! Blossoms will arrive soon there...

Ginnie Hart said...

And my understanding is that Chicago is predicted snow for today, Friday! Winter seems to hate leaving this year in so many places, even where we live. But we're still much father ahead than you. My sister who just moved to Maine is still seeing snow...not far from PEI. I love the rituals you and we go through to greet the new season!

baili said...

i loved your powerful description about spring arrival and outdoor adventures ,gatherings over food

life is such a precious gift with countless blessings of health peace and family