This year Spring arrived with with a snap of the fingers. One week we were averaging 10-degrees below normal and now the bright, sunny days are pushing the temps into the 80's - well above the expected highs.
Snowbirds: Last weekend seven of the northern variety nested briefly at the Newton Hotel. Dennis, Kathy, Kylie, Brittany, Mariah, and two friends flew down the crowded I-75 flight corridor from Michigan on their way to Florida. How they navigated we don't know since they left in dark (about 4:30am) and arrived in the dark (about 8:30pm). It must be that these Snowbirds have exceptional night flight capibilties. Susan and I quickly placed them in front of the Newton feeder, filled with home made tacos and dessert, and nested them in beds and the floors of various rooms around the house. By 4:15am they flew south again, hoping to arrive in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida while the sun is still high. We might catch a glimpse of them next weekend during their northern migration. This Friday a smaller group of Snowbirds arrive from Michigan but plan to hang around for a while. Dana, Paula and Sebastian will hit the Newton coop for 3-4 days, with plans to flit around Stone Mountain, the DeKalb Farmers Market, and check out a few other Atlanta roosting spots.
Bluebirds: Speaking of roosting spots, the two bluebird boxes in our backyard have seen plenty of activity. We are not sure if the same pair of bluebirds keep coming back for inspection or if there are numerous other pairs flying through. So far we have no permanent visitors - but are hoping at least one pair hangs around.
Now that Spring is really here to stay Susan and I have prioritized our "to-do" list from inside to outside chores. Window and screen cleaning are high on the list but Susan will plant a few vegetable plants and I'll do my best to beat up on some defenseless lawn weeds.
We recently had a professional landscaper look over our backyard and offer tips on where to plant various bushes, shrubs and flowers. I'm looking foward toward a big Butterfly Bush and Susan has already planted two fig trees and a few blueberry bushes.
Not everything is work, however. Susan has only the month of April to enjoy vacation. Her retirement is proving to be short lived since she starts a new full-time job with the Georgia Department of Education in downtown Atlanta on May 1. We are trying to get in short, daily rides on the bicycles so we won't look to pathetic later in the summer when we try some longer excursions.
Snowbirds: Last weekend seven of the northern variety nested briefly at the Newton Hotel. Dennis, Kathy, Kylie, Brittany, Mariah, and two friends flew down the crowded I-75 flight corridor from Michigan on their way to Florida. How they navigated we don't know since they left in dark (about 4:30am) and arrived in the dark (about 8:30pm). It must be that these Snowbirds have exceptional night flight capibilties. Susan and I quickly placed them in front of the Newton feeder, filled with home made tacos and dessert, and nested them in beds and the floors of various rooms around the house. By 4:15am they flew south again, hoping to arrive in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida while the sun is still high. We might catch a glimpse of them next weekend during their northern migration. This Friday a smaller group of Snowbirds arrive from Michigan but plan to hang around for a while. Dana, Paula and Sebastian will hit the Newton coop for 3-4 days, with plans to flit around Stone Mountain, the DeKalb Farmers Market, and check out a few other Atlanta roosting spots.
Bluebirds: Speaking of roosting spots, the two bluebird boxes in our backyard have seen plenty of activity. We are not sure if the same pair of bluebirds keep coming back for inspection or if there are numerous other pairs flying through. So far we have no permanent visitors - but are hoping at least one pair hangs around.
Now that Spring is really here to stay Susan and I have prioritized our "to-do" list from inside to outside chores. Window and screen cleaning are high on the list but Susan will plant a few vegetable plants and I'll do my best to beat up on some defenseless lawn weeds.
We recently had a professional landscaper look over our backyard and offer tips on where to plant various bushes, shrubs and flowers. I'm looking foward toward a big Butterfly Bush and Susan has already planted two fig trees and a few blueberry bushes.
Not everything is work, however. Susan has only the month of April to enjoy vacation. Her retirement is proving to be short lived since she starts a new full-time job with the Georgia Department of Education in downtown Atlanta on May 1. We are trying to get in short, daily rides on the bicycles so we won't look to pathetic later in the summer when we try some longer excursions.
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