And everything is slower here. I have to keep reminding myself. This ice will melt. The evenings will lighten. The soil will warm. Spring will come again.
And the slower it is, the closer it binds time to me. Binding it tight. Hundreds of seconds and minutes of this time thing. This wiry, brittle, sluggish, caramel of time.
Because I don’t know how much of it is passing or at what speed. Is it a short life, or a long life? Am I up early or perhaps I slept late? All I know today, is the sound of a chaffinch. Endless relentless notes, going nowhere. A goldfinch perched on the branch of that willow. And that Spring is arriving, and then it’s not.
I thought it was here today at the appearance of so many rabbits. These couple of acres provide shelter for them. Out in the wider fields they are targets. And in these few days of tentative Spring, the rabbits are joined by a hen pheasant, then by a strutting squawking cock, and a flock of parrot like greenfinches.
One swallow flew over the house last week. And then we saw a string of them on the road from Annestown. Because we are looking for Spring everywhere. We are dreaming of light, or at the very least, the promise of it.
Beautiful! Your birds and rabbits images always touch my heart, awakening memories of childhood… is it a short or a long life?… indeed I often wonder.
Ah thanks Amelie! I’ve lost track of things a bit in the last few weeks. Hope you are thriving! Long, long….let’s hope it’s long!!….xx
Deena spotted the swallows last weekend too… Such courageous creatures.. I wonder do they give out about the weather as much as us humans? I have to say I often envy their lifestyle
So true Andrew! Imagine the long long flight they have undertaken. How bruised and battered they must feel when they get here. I even got the impression they were just passing through and on their way to other destinations up north. More flying to be done!!
Here at long last; the call of Spring is rather special – your beautiful, beautiful close up photos of birds and bunnies, thank you, makes my heart sing Catherine. Xx
Delighted to hear that Pat. Pretty much sums up how I feel when I see them through my lens! Yes, it seems to be here at last!!! x
I hope spring has found you….here we had another cold snowy set back but it looks like it might be finally sticking for a longer visit. I so relish the long visits with spring. Your wildlife is such a treat to see my friend.
Thanks Donna. Yes at last, although I do feel that climate change is happening. It’s colder than it should be even still. But I am grateful for the new tiny flowers and the re-emergence of the baby rabbits. Hope it stays with you and your beautiful garden too!