Firsts

A day of firsts, starting with seeing this American Red Squirrel when I was out walking with my birder friends this morning -- first one I've seen since sometime last year.  They are not nearly as common as our native gray squirrels, so it's always a treat to see one.  We also recorded 33 species of birds on our walk - including several year-first Yellow Warblers, all in full song.  It started a little chilly but by the time we'd made the loop back to our cars, it was getting quite warm.

Back at home, I saw my year-first hummingbird!  And shortly after, the first Gray Catbird.  These are two of my favorite summer residents and they always show up at about the same time each spring.  The first hummingbirds to arrive are males, who will quickly set up a territory.  I think this one arrived yesterday - I was nearly certain I heard one yesterday but didn't see it.  Today, there is no doubt as he's been visiting the feeder regularly all afternoon. The females will show up in the next week, ready to be wooed.  

I am happy to say that my lower back already feels better - this has been my experience every time I've gotten injections, very fast results.  I am very lucky to get such good and quick results.

Meanwhile, my dad's sprained ankle/foot has turned out to be a broken bone in his foot so he is now hobbling around in a "boot".  If you've never had the experience of wearing one, you can't appreciate how really awkward and inconvenient it is.  Dad isn't liking it at all.  Hopefully he won't have to be in it for very long.  

Tomorrow is looking to be another beautiful spring day, which I plan to enjoy.

xoxo
Debbi