There is still ice on the lakes. However if our warm weather continues it will be an early ice out. This is Lake Bemidji, I took this photo last week. Ice being shoved ashore is a normal thing. Sometimes it comes ashore in huge sheets, taking docks with it. Most people on Minnesota lakes remove their docks for the winter. It is a true rite of spring the weekend people put their docks back out. It is something to look forward to after a long winter.
I have not seen a Robin in our yard yet..not for lack of trying. I have raked a little, and Far Guy even started the lawn mower and mowed down some of my wildflowers. In the summer the lawn mower brings them in to search for worms. I looked especially hard yesterday as she who sees Robin's first was gone for a few days. The rules for this First Robin Quest are this: You must see it on our property or theirs and since they adjoin..it is fair. I am sure that "She who sees Robins first" will see them way before me..she probably already has seen them, has a photo and is just waiting for me to mention my sighting...but my sighting is just not happening yet. Last year it was April 11..she saw them an hour earlier than me.
Chance at Lake Bemidji
I did hear from Judy that she had Robins in her yard on March 20, she lives 40 miles south of us. I got an email saying Auntie Esther saw one on March 24 just 14 miles east of us. I stood at the window a long time this morning..nothing.. I have been known to be weeks behind in my sightings. The other day, we had the opportunity to watch the Hawks hunting in the fields. The field mice must be out foraging. We also had the rare opportunity to see a Golden Eagle feeding on a deer carcass. He was massive, I did not get a photo..he flew away to quickly. We see Bald Eagles all the time..but a Golden Eagle now there is a real treasure.
It is almost that magical time of year in Minnesota if you live on a lake. The ice as it melts is held in crystalline form, tiny icicles in the water that float on the surface. If it is a quiet evening and there is a bit of a breeze it sounds like thousands of tiny wind chimes as their irregular shapes touch each other. Very much like an "Ice Dance." It only happens for a few evenings just before the ice goes out. The ice will serenade you..if you stop to listen:)
I have a friend who took so many pictures of that crystalization thing but I have never seen it. It is beautiful but at the same time you are in a hurry to be done with it.
ReplyDeleteWe have had robins here for a while now. I will anxiously await your first sighting. Love that picture of Chance looking so regal! And again, I do like the new look for your blog, it's much easier to read!!
ReplyDeleteI know you will be happy to see real spring at your place.
ReplyDeletePatsy
Our robins jumped the gun and arrived in great numbers just before our deepest snow. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and enjoy your day!!!
oh, I have a feeling you will be next to see the Robins! We have seen them here.
ReplyDeleteI love your description of the ice sounding like wind chimes! That must be lovely Connie! Beautiful photo of Chance also.
ReplyDeleteWe've been seeing Robins for a few weeks, but they were late in arriving this year. I've experienced my first rite of spring this year - the porch swing was put up last week. That is the official first thing that happens here each year. Lots more to do though. It takes me longer each year to get it done, but I guess there is no spring police ready to arrest me if I don't get it all done on time.
ReplyDeleteThe ice dance would really be something to hear! The Duchess would like that. Our Robins are hiding out too. Today it poured rain all day. I think our spring is hiding out as well!
ReplyDeleteWe often see golden eagles but hardly ever see a bald eagle.
ReplyDeleteNow I am confused, what's the difference between a golden eagle, and a bald eagle?
ReplyDeleteChance looks wonderful sitting on the beach.
Hey, we had a hawk right outside on our bird feeder the other week. When you realize how deep in the city we live, that is kind of interesting.
Jen
I love the report on the ice - - - I did not know it could destroy docks - - and yet it is so beautiful at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Chance looking at in the beautiful picture of him beside the ice? Or is he trying to figure out where the music is coming from?
We are anxiously awaiting our lake meltdown,too....there are not cracks in it yet, but the shore is melted...
ReplyDeletewe have had robins here in the U.P. for about 2 weeks. We saw more today again.
No robins here yet... I like the ice pictures - never thought of it making noise but I bet it does!
ReplyDeletespring would just be dandy.. .here in mt... winter's scheduled to rear it's ugly head again...
ReplyDeletegreat shots
gp
We had robins here when there was still snow on the ground. I don't know what they eat when they come so early. It was weird.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great post! Humor and poetry. I really enjoyed your description of the ice melt away and all the other elements of this time of year. Very beautiful and poetic imagery!
Looks as if your ice will be going soon... Ours hasn't even started melting yet. I do love the musical chiming the ice makes before it disappears.
ReplyDeleteI love the sounds of nature. So often we are so busy we never notice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
I love this post! I would love to stay and chit chat at length about what your lake must be like, ask a zillion questions an offer to mail you one of our robins, I'm sure we could spare one, though we love to hear their song, but alas Dirt has stuck his head inside and found me out and he has requested that I come and help with the last sheets of hidious poly-carbonate so out I must go.
ReplyDeleteOh, your post makes me miss my childhood, which was lived a bit farther north than I am now. We always looked for and celebrated the Robin's return! Here, I swear they were only gone for late December and January. Maybe they were actually here but in hiding, I don't know. It's weird seeing Robins in February and having to think "no, it's not a sign of Spring." And my grandmother lived on a lake and I haven't seen ice on shore like that since I was little at her house. Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so clear!! I love them!!
ReplyDelete