Spring has finally come to Minnesota. This morning I was watching the oreoles at the feeder Bernie set out for them. On a rainy day their orange feathering is brilliant like a candle’s flame in a darkened grotto. I have been noting the other of the most colorful that come to our feeders: the red cardinal, the blue jay, the purple finch, and the goldfinch. Other current visitors include the three varieties of woodpeckers, the white-breasted nuthatch, the grosbeak, and occasionally the robin.
When I was a child in Chicago, the robin was especially treasured as the first sign of the coming of Spring. I remember the song:
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobbin’ along, along.
There’ll be no more sobbin’ when he starts throbbin’ his old sweet song.
Wake up, wake up, you sleepy-head.
Get up, get up, get out of bed.
Cheer up, the sun is red.
Live, love, laugh and be happy…”
A message from the robin today.