Day 107 - 17th April 2015 - Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches and Grandmother's Journal

Temperature is 0 and the stars area all out. Rain this afternoon, so I'll take advantage of the fine weather this morning and stay out side as much as I can. A few things to do around the house but that can wait til the rain arrives later.
Not quiet as warm yesterday, only +12 and the wind was chilly. But I ventured out on the deck;
enjoyed the sun and all the birds that were singing. The pair of Mallards seem to be regular visitors, they had a little snooze in the morning next to the deck fence, roamed around the yard several times throughout the day. The Purple Finches are arriving, had one late in the afternoon. No sign of Palm Warblers on my morning walk though. The lake has opened up - quite a wide swath through the centre - won't be long now and the ice will all be gone.
Grandmother's Journal: 
17th April 1976: Bob, Tom and I to MC, stayed overnight. Bobbie & Mike up. Bobbie helped Bob with the trees. Mike went fishing. Always the big ones get away. Mike took boat up river, no fish, only small ones. Maybe he doesn't know where to fish. Very warm. All time high for this time of year. Lots of fishermen around. Cleaned cupboards. Washed doors, etc. 
18 Apr 1976: Bettie, Bobbie and Mike came up around noon time. Bobbie helped with tree holes. Mike fished. Went down home when we got back to town. Ruth and Mother taken off to pick Jimmie up at airport. Swallows sitting on back of house chattering, looking for [bird] house which had fallen down during wind storm. 
19th Apr 1976: Overcast early. Turned out fine. Not as warm. Southerly wind felt like fog outside. Permanent today. Bob, Bobbie, Mike and Tom to MC working on tree holes. 1st Kinglet. Big Brown Snake. 

Evening Grosbeaks - no sign of females yet but these males are certainly beautiful.

The Starlings are trying to decide who will nest in the telephone pole this year.

On my walk - Chickadees are everywhere.

They were keeping company with a few Goldfinches.

Another bunch of Crocuses have popped through the ground. Only Monday this was all covered in snow.

Bits and pieces of ice along the shore line. But it's opening up.

Male Purprle Finch.







Enjoy your day!