Coming attractions in May #phenology

In a couple of weeks, we'll enter prime dragonfly season. For now, the common green darner is the only species shown in flight, and we've seen none yet. Our pear tree has many flower buds almost ready to open. Probably later this week if we get some sunshine and warmth. Yesterday's high was in the mid 80's. Today we're at 60 with cloudy skies. More of the same is forecast for tomorrow. We are way overdue for a week of sunny days with temperatures in the mid 70's, but we're not going to hold our breath. This is Minnesota, after all, where the possibility of a Mother's Day blizzard, though rare, exists.

pear tree in bloom

Photo by J. Harrington

Meanwhile, we've hearing reports that migrating birds are moving northward. If not this week, then next we hope to see Baltimore orioles and ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive. With luck we may also get to see a few scarlet tanagers around mid to late May. Since the annoying gray squirrels have knocked down the grape jelly feeder, we'll mix up some more sugar water nectar and hang that feeder later this week. So far squirrels haven't shown any interest in the nectar feeders.

Trillium grandiflorum (Large-flowered Trillium)

Photo by J. Harrington

Late this month we expect an eruption of woodland wildflowers to bloom before the canopy fills out and blocks sunlight from the ground. So the overall arrival pattern is dragonflies; bird migrants; woodland wildflowers such as trillium.

Today we didn't get done all the outside chores we set out to do yesterday, but we did accomplish some of them. We're noticing that  we've reached an age in which we need to stretch out the transition from a primarily sedentary winter to a more active later spring early summer pattern. We're also observing that the weather forecast is frequently more pessimistic than the actual weather, which mades it challenging to schedule activities outside.

Spring

In the north country now it is spring and there 
Is a certain celebration. The thrush 
Has come home. He is shy and likes the 
Evening best, also the hour just before 
Morning; in that blue and gritty light he 
Climbs to his branch, or smoothly 
Sails there. It is okay to know only 
One song if it is this one. Hear it 
Rise and fall; the very elements of you should 
Shiver nicely. What would spring be 
Without it? Mostly frogs. But don’t worry, he

Arrives, year after year, humble and obedient 
And gorgeous. You listen and you know 
You could live a better life than you do, be 
Softer, kinder. And maybe this year you will 
Be able to do it. Hear how his voice 
Rises and falls. There is no way to be 
Sufficiently grateful for the gifts we are 
Given, no way to speak the Lord’s name 
Often enough, though we do try, and

Especially now, as that dappled breast 
Breathes in the pines and heaven’s 
Windows in the north country, 
Now spring has come, 
Are opened wide.

Mary Oliver

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