My Second (and short) Up North Adventure, Day 1 of 3

Thursday Afternoon—I arrive in Northern Wisconsin

There’s something magical about the north woods

In early spring.

The snow has wandered slowly away

But the buds on the trees still lack the courage

To make an appearance.

Wind blows through bare birch limbs mimicking

The sound of traffic.

Or, perhaps, reminding all that

Will listen about the evils cars bring.

The birds are back, singing

To one another tales of migration’s perils.

Night:

I am in Northern Wisconsin tonight (a girl can only take so much city). The amount of wildlife (namely birds) here right now is insane. I typically don’t see this many birds in a week—and I’ve seen them in a day. My hypothesis is that this is as far north as the migrating populations have gotten so far. I am no expert at recognizing birds (but I do take an interest and have a bird book next to me right now) and I’m even worse at identifying bird song—but here are the birds I have RECOGNIZED thus far. There are far more than on this list, I have been hearing bird song today like nothing I have ever heard before—

• Hooded merganser
• Common merganser
• Mallard
• Wood Duck
• Robin
• Blue Jay
• Crow
• Vulture
• Mourning Dove

I so wish that I was better with bird song, that’s something I’ll have to find a way to work on when I get back home. I have heard no loons yet, but they were in Madison WI last week,and the mergansers are here—so I assume they will be back soon.

There are all sorts of impossibly small birds flitting about—smaller than sparrows. I wonder what they are called.

I was actually just standing on the deck a few minutes ago with the bird book trying to figure out what was what when a wood duck almost flew right into me. I think we were both just as startled when we realized the close call.

This gets me wondering if this is how things used to be—did birds used to be this plentiful here year round? Are the constant bird songs I’m hearing the conversations between lasts of some species? Now I wish I had brought bird seed along to help them on their journeys.

It’s now time for coffee, a post-run shower and poetry memorization for the poetry slam on April 17 I am competing in! I am so happy for this vacation, even if it is short.

Oh! Before I go, did I mention I saw a BUTTERFLY while I was running today?!