Nesting Time

One night of steady rain and crashing thunderstorms and somehow the world seems right again after this very cold winter and weeks of the Big Dry. The butterflies are foraging on the still meager milkweed plants, but they are here- the Queens, the giant swallowtails, even the Monarchs back from their winter in Mexico. The resurrection ferns flock the oak limbs and the pastures are green velvet.

Everyone here is nesting. I go into the feed room in the barn and a huge squawk goes up from the wrens who have decided upon the seat of the baby stroller stowed there. It's a tender time and they very definitely do not want any visitors! Bob and Emily, our resident cranes are building a nest on the side of the pond between the ghost trees. Emily turns around and around, packing down the territory. Bob is busy bringing straw and twigs. From time to time they twine their necks around each other and then Emily sits down to contemplate things while Bob flings thin bits of dry grass in the general direction of the nest. I wonder how long this process will take?

The seasonal bird visitors are in full throat. Bluebirds, great flycatchers, red wing blackbirds and hummingbirds are all here. In the first week of April the chimney swifts will return. (We have already cleaned out the fireplace and closed the damper in anticipation.) Many migratory ducks are on the pond. These are such shy creatures, it's hard to see them before they fly away in alarm.

The long shadows of late afternoon are fuller with the leafing of the trees. Who said that Florida does not have seasons? Spring happens in an instant, it's true. Blink, and it's gone. By tomorrow, the mid day heat will mean a watering of the vegetables is necessary, and I'll think about water for the flower beds, the orchids, and that small oak tree we planted that looks so peaky.

There is something about water from the sky that is magical. The vegetables grew several inches overnight. Suddenly, I knew that some of those large and beautiful collard plants and broccoli must go, so I cut them down and bagged them up for our guests to take home for their tortoises.

All of a sudden, so much is ready in the garden- golden beets, peapods, many varieties of lettuce, radishes, swiss chard, and the ever present broccoli and collards we have been eating all winter. The squash and cukes and carrots are coming along and there are tiny tomatoes on the vines. The asparagus bed is producing enough spears to satisfy me as I brouse there.

Vegetables, birds, our friends- so much to celebrate in spring. Last night we all went to dinner at the Blakes'. Phil, the seventeen year old son of our favorite guests was the designated driver. Norman Blake had made such an incredible dinner! Such a chef in our neighborhood! We all ate fresh greens from our gardens to go with the amazing crab wrapped in salmon fillets, Korean rice, brussel sprouts perfectly cooked, and kumquat pie.

While there at the Blakes, we walked around their 'compound' to see the garden and the building project of a house for their son. After dinner we strolled up to buy eggs from the Blakes' grandson who keeps a flock of chickens.

Spring- such a wonder!

The tortoises have come out of hibernation and I expect to see squirrels very soon.