The Last Tough Day?

 

It's the first day of spring on the temperamental New England coast. We're in our annual suspension of belief about the smooth progression of the seasons.

Purple Sandpipers on the shoreline

Part of our fascination with Halibut Point's creatures is their persistence through it all.

Gray Catbird

In January this Catbird pushed the envelope of survival by not heading south like most of its kind. Here it sits huddled near berry bushes waiting for the warmth of the rising sun. Hopefully it came to its senses and departed, or somehow found its necessities in this latitude.

 

Cedar Waxwing eating privet berries

Some species like the Cedar Waxwing adapt more easily to our winters.

Goldfinch

Certain seed eaters profited from residual food in the meadow.

Hermit Thrush

For many birds it's been a marginal time, and the icy landscape a forlorn sight. We keep our fingers crossed that they'll make it through today's cold snap.

White-throated Sparrow

Overall it was a mild winter. Last week dandelions in sheltered spots began putting forth scrawny yellow blazes close to the ground, tucked into tentative crowns of foliage. Rose twigs and buds showed reddish coloration.

The sun rose shivering today, March 21, at 24˚ with a 30mph westerly breeze. The forecast says the weather is an outlier with no more frosts predicted this month. Then on to fickle April. Is this the last tough day?