The "First" Day of Spring

This morning felt like the first day of spring. The sun was bright and warm, and the birds were very active. I went to the Triple Tree trail for a little birding hike with the Wunder-Mutt, Olivia. Right in the middle of this wealthy neighborhood, a herd of ~100 elk were bedding down and chewing their cuds. The herd was mostly cows with a sparkling of spikes and rag-horn bulls. I remember this area when it was the Meyers’ Ranch, seemed like there were a lot of elk in those days. Now this place is a series of Mac-mansions of 10 acre parcels.

Along trail, there were American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and Mountain Chickadees. These were joined by the ever-present chorus of Black-billed Magpies. As the trail enters the Douglas-fir forest, there were Brown Creepers and a multitude of Red Crossbill. I was able to watch these “Montana Parrots” as they called to one another and went from tree to tree. I could hearing the cracks of cones being pried open with the specialized bills. The Red-breasted Nuthatches were calling with such numbers and fervor that the resulting sound seemed to be almost syncopated.

Along the sun soaked ridge, a pair of Clark’s Nutcrackers were in the treetops, and one of them was carrying seem nesting materials (a sure sign of spring). This species has always held a particular place for me, and seeing them today was special and reassuring. A Cooper’s Hawk went overhead as I started to descend and I won’t mention the part where I slipped on the needle-covered ice into my arse.