Great Egret Contortions

 

I was watching great egrets at the Jersey shore yesterday. They get their long legs, neck, and other parts into very complicated positions while hunting at the water's edge. Click to enlarge.

Like this.

And this.

And like when you try to suck in your stomach to look slender...

And when folded into a delicate twisted filigree.

Or just sitting in a tree showing off the breeding plumes.

Just Purple Flowers

 

I am seeing purple flowers everywhere. Like striped crocuses.

Periwinkle.

A crocus with a visitor.

Glory-of-the-snow.

And rogue hyacinths.

Pretty! Click on the photos to enlarge.

Spring Comes on Thursday

By astronomical reckoning, spring will arrive this Thursday, March 20. Meteorologists already started spring on March 1. For me, it begins the first time I hear this bird sing. It's a white-throated sparrow. I heard one singing this morning! Click on this sentence for a recording on the Cornell Lab or Ornithology website.  Let the spring begin!

 

Daylight Savings Time is On

 

Daylight savings time starts today. It was dark when I got up this morning. It will be light longer this evening. Most of my clocks turned themselves forward automatically, but the microwave is still living in the past and will have to be changed manually. Check your place for rogue devices.

On the seasonal update front, bees are visiting the crocuses. Click to enlarge. 

And heads up for a lunar eclipse on March 14th. A red moon is coming!

It's Meteorological Spring!

 

A local witch hazel bush is covered with squiggly flowers now, despite the sudden return of frigid temperatures. My fingers nearly froze while I was taking pictures of it this morning! It's officially spring now, starting March 1 according to the reckoning of meteorologists. In another 17 days, we'll achieve astronomical spring at the equinox.

To recap -- the crocuses in my yard came out last week. Click to enlarge. 

Snowdrops appeared in early February.

And now this. Welcome, early bloomers!