Spring midpoint: shifting nature

As we approach the midpoint of spring, I’m noticing the continuing transformation of the landscape.

The once-naked branches are leafing out with various shades of green. The Walnut tree has catkins, leaves and flowers, and so does Birch and Maple!

Winter birds are departing and migrating to northern breeding grounds so their numbers are declining in my nearby nature.

Even though the wintering golden-crowned sparrows are eating some of my flowers and succulents to the ground, I sort of can’t be too mad at them. They need the food to fatten up during winter so they can make a long flight to Washington and Alaska.

Part of me is sad to see them go-especially the golden-crowned sparrows who have been such a joy to see and hear all winter. And at the same time, I can’t be too sad because the cheerful song of the American Robin demands that I “cheerily, cheer-up, cheer-up cheerily!”

I mark the change of seasons with these crowned sparrows. They are like the changing of the guards, they leave us and the spring birds return. Who returns? The Pacific-slope flycatcher and black-headed grosbeaks.

Keeping a nature journal daily for the past 14 months has given me a deeper awareness of the subtle changes in my neighborhood landscape.

Its a great tool to help us slow us down to nature’s pace, see more deeply, and connect to nature.

For those who are new, I welcome you to our community. Nature journaling is about observing nature and learning how to record our experience on the pages of a journal with words and sketches.

Journaling with others makes it more enjoyable and we expand our collective learning. Join us on Sunday or one of my workshops. Please see the Events tab for dates.