Feathers in the Weather

Sparrows...the Blue Collars of  the Bird World 

The weather has taken a turn for the warmer and Spring is ready to, ummm, spring up shortly.  I think, on this Thoughtful/Thankful Thursday, that my favorite harbinger of the upcoming season is hearing the birds start to sing again.  That, to me, is such a cheerful sign of the fresh, new world that is at our door.  As I was organizing my thoughts for today, I heard the twirtles of some feathered critter outside.  I'm horrible at analyzing bird songs, but I'm guessing it was a sparrow as not many of the warmer weather varieties have shown up.  No matter what was twirtling, I love the sparrow as they are the tough little troupers that stick around no matter what.  People in

Lovey Doveys 

 general, it seems, tend to overlook these cuties as they are "common", but I appreciate them wholeheartedly.  They may not be the "showy" type but they are sweet creatures, working hard at just surviving.  I've watched them many times from my backyard view, building a cozy home and then diligently feeding the babies they fill it up with.


Another winged thing I look forward to viewing and coo-cooing as the temperatures rise is the Mourning Dove.  I have lived in my home for almost 30 years and have always spotted them around and I love that they're here!  They are supposed to mate for life (although their lifespan is generally only 1 to 1 1/2 years) and I somehow feel a comfort in this fact.  Perhaps it's because it mimics human love and that is a beautiful thing...I'm such a romantic!  

Is this Robin bob-bob-bobin?

To me a visual, as well as audible, symbol of Springtime is the "Viewing of the Robin".  I did some checking and it seems that some robins stick around for our frozen winters while most do the Snowbird (how appropriate!) thing.  They head south, not directly because of the cold weather but to find food.  I have never witnessed a robin during snow-time but apparently there are some hiding out in the freeze.  No matter, for when I see that first robin bobbin around my front lawn and singing his song,  I know in my heart that Spring has Sprung!