Spring at the farmhouse

Spring is lagging behind here at the farmhouse. There is still probably about 40% snow cover and between snow melt and the rain we're receiving there is flooding of the Moira River further south. Railway Creek, which runs along the southern boundary of our land, is one of the tributaries that is part of the Moira River watershed.

Railway Creek spreading into its flood plain below the house

Railway Creek further south creates a temporary waterfall

Wildlife is more varied here than in the city but, because of lower densities, much harder to spot. On my walk through the woods yesterday I startled a Ruffed Grouse, recognizable by the characteristic loud whirring of its wings as it springs into the air. Above there was a Cooper's Hawk making its surveillance rounds just above the tree canopy.

And so a photo essay of spring here in the country

The snow in retreat but not yet all gone

One of the moss gardens looking healthy after its winter on the deck

Species crocuses under the mulberry tree

Complete devastation and decimation by moles

A mole tunnel originally buried under the snow and now exposed

The garlic beds under their mulch of straw

Black currants budding out

Two kinds of visitors drop their calling card; deer on left, rabbit on the right. Interesting how two animals so different in stature would have scat virtually identical in size

Deer scat is pill shaped

Rabbit scat more circular

Last year's mustard, kale and beet bed with plant residue left on the bed for organic enrichment and soil cover

Sunflower husks left by the birds feasting on the seeds. In a few weeks there should be a number of self seeded plants

Not a single seed left on the flower by the birds, primarily chickadees and gold finches

After a hard winter rodent damage on the raspberry cane; the lower area early in the winter, the upper later when the snow cover had reached that high

Baby self seeded heirloom lettuces emerge after a winter protection of snow

Self seeded spinach from the fall