Spring is officially here in North Dakota. Trees have started breaking buds, hostas are up, and various plants are about to start throwing off flowers. This time of year is especially glorious since there are no mosquitoes (not yet), so we can work in the garden without the annoyance of biting mosquitoes.
For us the change to Spring is marked by the birds that begin arriving at the homestead, some just passing through, some to stay for the duration of Summer. The American Goldfinches arrived just a few days ago. We love their high-pitched chirps and striking yellow, they truly brighten up the garden.
Even though it was 90+ degrees just a week ago, Spring here is temperamental. Today being Friday the 13th, Mother Nature tried to put on an eerie show. A cold wind started overnight and a morning rain shower turned to snow. Brief but intense snow showers and a brisk wind have continued throughout the day. A hard freeze is forecast for tonight and I have a few petunias, sweet alyssum, and dianthus that I need to cover. Hopefully this is the last freeze or frost for the Spring.
The American Goldfinches show up suddenly, and usually in sizeable numbers. We go from seeing one or two, to seeing dozens in a matter of just a few days.
The Rose Breasted Grosbeaks also showed up yesterday. In similar fashion to the American Goldfinches, they go from one or two to bunches in a matter of days. Sadly the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks are just passing through, they'll stay for a few weeks, then move along. At least a few of the goldfinches will stay with us though through the Summer.
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