Magic

Evidently if I want to see Missy, all I have to do is mention her name in the blog.  Maybe she likes the free publicity.  Just like magic there she was yesterday, running across the pen to meet me in the barn.  It was as if I'd conjured her up.  It will be interesting to see if she appears again today.

It's a good thing that Stanley and his girls are in the wire-covered pen because the red-tailed hawks are back in the neighborhood.  They've timed it perfectly because even these last few sunny days have brought out the ground squirrels.  It seems that these hawks mate for life, so this must be a married couple who return year after year.

Other birds that have returned are the crows and the blackbirds.  The crows are noisy social birds.  They don't seem to have an "indoor" voice.  I didn't realize the blackbirds were back until yesterday a big flock flew overhead in unison, swirling and dipping like leaves in the wind, lovely to see.  One of the pleasures of living here is watching the comings and goings of the wildlife.

If today is anything like yesterday, Stove may get the day off.  I wasn't ready to leave the door open, but at least it got up into the 40s and a jacket was enough to ward off the chill in the house.  It won't officially be spring here until March 20, but there's hope on a sunny day.