Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler

Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler  –  Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, not a set up, natural light

I have the fever. Aspirin won’t help nor will bed rest because spring fever can only be cured by getting out and soaking up spring! For a little while today the sun was shining and teasing me. A storm is rolling in tonight and tomorrow is going to be cruddy … but a high pressure front is coming in after this storm and the weather is looking better, spring time is knocking at the door.

It is about time for a cure for this spring fever.

Cliff Swallow with nesting material

Cliff Swallow collecting mud for its nest –  Nikon, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

I’ve seen signs of Ravens, Black-billed Magpies, Canada Geese, Horned Larks and other birds preparing their nests. It won’t be long and there will be many more pairs of birds mating and incubating eggs. They have spring fever too.

Quite a few species of trees have started to open their buds, I’m seeing green on the willows, a flush of new blooms on some cherry trees and I have been hearing the songs of the chorus frogs. There are crocus, snowdrops and grape hyacinths in bloom and the daffodils and tulips will soon follow along with the sweet perfume of the lilacs.

Yes, spring is warm, inviting and exciting.

Western Grebes courting in early spring

Western Grebes courting in early spring –   Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Don’t get me wrong, I love winter and the birds I see then. I love to see the mountains heavily covered in snow, frosted vegetation and breathing in the brisk air.

Spring seduces me. Refreshes me. It whispers to me softly to come outside to savor nature and wildlife and feel the warm breeze caress my skin. It beckons to me to go camping to spend the daylight hours exploring and promises star-filled nights out where all I might hear are the sounds of howling coyotes and the hoot of an owl or two. Away from the city, out where you can hear for miles.

Male Red-winged Blackbird singing on cattails

Male Red-winged Blackbird singing on old cattails –  Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, not a set up, natural light

Spring has a musical rhapsody which is entirely its own. Birds such as this Red-winged Blackbird seem unable to resist singing outloud and why should they? It is a great time of the year.

The snow melt will fill the mountain streams and as they tumble downward towards the valleys the tinkling and gurgling sounds that creates will fill the air. Yum, sitting on a sun warmed rock streamside and listening to that in the spring?

Priceless.

Mia