Ah…springtime in the mountains!
Tiny purple wildflowers are blooming close to the ground, the hummingbirds are dashing hither and thither like little cricket jets (they really do sound like crickets), moths are begging at lighted windows at night, and it is actually hot in the afternoon sun! But it could still snow, and the rule up here is don’t plant anything until June 1st. (Although my daughter-in-law has planted some kale, which is one of those early season crops that don’t mind a little frostiness)
Just a few days ago this little bunny obligingly sat outside our kitchen window, nibbling at winter leftovers. To me his lunch seemed pretty dry and unappetizing, but he just chomped down that long dry stem as if it were a strand of uncooked spaghetti.
My visitor was a desert cottontail. I guess they can be troublesome if you have a producing garden, but since we aren’t at that stage yet, we can enjoy these little furry critters without worrying about their penchant for green veggies. (But I better warn my daughter-in-law!) Luckily, before too long there will be some wild greens for the bunnies to indulge in.
Oddly, one of my neighbors had trouble last summer with mice eating his garden produce! Then an old timer in the area told him to put little jar lids of water around the perimeter of his garden. Seems the mice were just gobbling up the greens for moisture.
We actually have several rabbit species around these parts. I’ve seen jackrabbits (two different varieties) and this ubiquitous little cottontail. Last year we had a baby cottontail that entranced the grand kids. The nice thing about rabbits is they try to make themselves invisible so you can get pretty close. A real bonus for a curious, animal loving 7 year old grandson!
I haven’t yet lived a full year in my new mountain home, so every season is entrancing. Spring here is one of the best of the four, with lilacs putting out delicate new foliage and local cottonwood trees showing off misty green hairdos. And now it’s warm enough that I can hang out the washing and bring it back in within a few hours. Oh, and the lizards are out!
What signs of spring are there in your neck of the woods?
Leave a Reply