Valentines come in all shapes and sizes, from doily hearts, to boxes of chocolates and giant teddy bears... but this year was and is a little different...
This year, my valentine are Robins! Yes Robins. And they came a week early too!
I thought something was up when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a robin swoop by, and then I looked across the street and there it was...
The prettiest, cheekiest, most mischievous Valentine I ever did see. Amidst the lightly falling snow, at least one hundred robins had rather suddenly gathered outside my house. Many were crowding into the juniper bush across the street, while others flocked to nearby trees. It was quite a sight, one which sent me running for my camera! The juniper bush was the most fun to watch. Little by little each Robin would stake out a spot, but soon the bush would become too crowded and in a flash they all flew out in a fan of flapping wings. As you can see above, these sweet little red breasted friends have a lot of personality.
I sat out in the cold for as long as the feeling in my fingers lasted, chatting here and there with my new friends. Flying back and forth, never sitting still for long, they were gone almost as fast as they had appeared. What a riot of color among the gray and white of the snow.
I couldn't think of a more perfect valentine, than one from mother nature herself...
With love from our rather cheeky feathered friends...
P.S. Don't forget to enter our book giveaway of Botany in a Day!
~Jordan
*Last time in Nature: Melting