Ah Spring

I'm out for a stroll, and after a vigorous walk yesterday (that may have caused a few blisters), I'm taking it easy. In the midst of my walk a stranger stopped me to tell me that there was a beautiful blue heron a few minutes walk down the path.

Up for an adventure, I strode down the path to see if she was still there. Along the way, I turned down my iPod in case there was any sound leaking from my headphones. To my surprise I heard a menagarie of birds including the distinctive pecking of a woodpecker. Near dusk, I also heard some frog songs.

I saw the heron moments later. It was a majestic bird, and at the sound of my creeping footsteps in the grass, it spread its graceful wings and flew downstream near another footbridge.

On my walk back to the main trail I saw a ruby red cardinal and his mousey brown mate sitting on a branch. I also began to notice rustlings that sounded, at first, like a snake or other scary critter moving through the brush. Then, I thought, could it be raindrops? The little rustles were so frequent. Finally I spied the culprits. A whole family of robins were hopping in the brush, looking for a snack.

I saw these little violets and snapped a shot in the dimming dusk light with my camera phone. They are yet another sign that the cold winter has passed. I am looking forward to more walks like this as the park fills with families and couples out for a walk on a lovely spring afternoon.