I loved living in California, where I could be awed by the enormity of the ocean and blessed by roses that bloomed year-round, but you can’t really appreciate spring in a place where it’s never winter. Spring is God’s gift for surviving winter!

One of my favorite parts of spring is watching the songbirds return from their winter homes in the south. The first this year, as usual, were the meadowlarks. Western meadowlark is the Wyoming state bird — and it’s the state bird of several other states so our love of this beauty is not unique. The male has a bright yellow chest and a loud, distinctive song that cuts through the cold with a promise of summer. Meadowlarks are beautiful all summer long and I almost cry every fall when I realize they’ve gone.

The sparrows and finches were next this year, beating out the robins by at least a week. I felt sorry for the little guys when it snowed on them at the feeder but they didn’t seem to mind. The robins came in, bold and brassy, followed by the chickadees. In the evenings, the nighthawks call to me as I watch the spectacular spring sunsets. I heard a downy woodpecker, though I didn’t see him, but I’ve yet to hear our resident hummingbird zoom by. He’s one I normally hear, but only catch a glimpse of as he shoots by on his way to cat-free zones.

It’s a bit distracting to watch the birds as I sit at my desk, struggling to write about Caribou King’s winter storms, but it’s a pleasing distraction. I hope you are watching and listening for the birds wherever you are today.