The first week of April brought warmth and sunshine to Cleveland, which was quite welcome after the cold & snowy winter we had. I had the windows open and was pleased to see the grass growing greener and everything smelling new and fresh. The neighbor placed several pots of flowers by the doors of the apartment building and they served to brighten things in anticipation of spring bulbs sprouting. But then, this past week, spring retreated, taking the warm temperatures with it and leaving three days of cold rain instead. Some people refused to wear coats as they left the building, pretending the chill hadn't come back. The forecast for next week has spring returning, hopefully for good, but I won't put my parka away just yet.
Despite the changing weather, the birds are very busy. There's been an influx of new species and many of them are building nests in the arbor vitae trees lining the driveway. Though the robins are back, I've not yet seen any goldfinches yet, though I know they are in the southern part of the state from photos taken at a birding pal's feeder.
I also hadn't seen any turkey vultures until a week and a half ago, though they usually return to northeast Ohio in mid-March. They are large birds and look wonderful soaring on the thermals in the sky. I am always excited to see them return and was very pleased to see several of them at 2 different locations. One pair was flying directly above a McDonald's and I wondered if they were trying to figure out how to fly though the drive-thru window? Might be difficult with a five foot wing span.
I've also seen a lot of ducks and Canada geese, not just now, but throughout the winter. At least some of them migrate before the colder months, but evidently a good sized population stays here year round. Once again, I'll try to get to the nearby pond(where the photo was taken) to see the ducklings. In all the years I've lived here, I've never timed it right to see the yellow fluffy babies, but hope springs eternal each year. Perhaps I should go to the pond every week until I see them?
Comments (6)
A trip every week would be a good idea.
You have a better range of birds than I do. Though perhaps the tree ducks have returned to the pond in the mobile home park up the street. If ever they left.
I hope no one uses the flower planters as a place to park their cigarette butts.
There's only 1 resident who smokes in the building & another visitor who smokes. But the visitor visits the neighbor who put the pots out there, so hopefully, he will know better. The smoking resident is kinda sleezy, so I wouldn't put it past him.
April in our region (Cleveland or Picardy) is very surprising. Periods of heat alternated with the cold and wind. We must be careful not to remove too much warm clothes. Admittedly, the first spring flowers are blooming but I 've still not planted anything in the garden.
. I like your picture of joyful ducks.You are spoiled to have in your area so many species of birds . Here it is not the case . I envy you
Love
Michel
Hi...Michel sent me over here. Are you Jackie? I love hearing about Cleveland. I love just about everything about my hometown...except the weather.
I need sunshine. I become depressed during the months in Cleve without sunshine...Jan, Feb, Mar, most of April, I remember wearing jackets even in July. We visited Holden's Arboratum in June and wore heavy jackets and wooly caps ...brrrr. I miss the autumn and our daily walks through the Emerald Necklace...there are few place with that sort of beauty anywhere.
Of course, you're Jackie. I recognize the lovely drawing of the squirrel. You wouldn't like the squirrels in FL. Very skinny. They look like rats with a fatter tail.
@josaju Hello, Mrs. Winslow, yes it's Jackie! *waves* I would probably like squirrels anywhere.
Yes, Cleveland winters can be tough, all that gloomy weather wouldn't be good for someone with Seasonal Disorder. Florida would be a much brighter place for that.
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