Friday 26 February 2010

Harbinger

Harbinger (-nj-) n. One who harbinges.



I spotted and photographed one of the real harbingers of Spring's arrival today: the afternoon sunshine is finally bright enough and at the right angle through the back door to catch our shiny metal kettle in just the right way to cast a protoplasmic net of reflections over the wall. Still no frogs, though.

6 comments:

Mauro Thon Giudici said...

Hi,
this morning I was in the Parco Sud Milano and spotted several herons that seemed quite busy. Suppose that here the frogs are waking up now. Here, in Milan, spring is at the doors. As a matter of fact the traditional beginning is anticipated to the 13 of March ("el tredesin de mars" in local parlance). Its a tradition that is said to go back to the Celts (or Kelts not sure).

Gavin McL said...

I watched that light arrive and fade into darkness from the confines of a meeting room. Next time

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

"Harbinges" ?

Good one.

I hear much territorial chatter amongst the avian citizens, though the land is still buried under snow and ice.

Bron

Dave Leeke said...

I watched a heron last week creepily playing a waiting game on the banks of the River Stour on the Suffolk/Essex border. However, over the last two days there has been a return of the Oystercatchers that frequent the promenade at the bottom of our road (just outside the pub).

Spring at last.

Mike C. said...

"Cast not a clout till May be out" are words to live by in these northern latitudes ("clout" = item of clothing), though both standards of personal hygiene and annual temperatures were certainly lower when this wisdom was established.

Herons are creepy birds, Dave, aren't they? Big, too -- a few live on Southampton Common, and startle me whenever they fly overhead.

Mike

Dave Leeke said...

Yes they are - I remember one flying a few feet over my head as I walked out into my garden once when we lived in Langford close to the River Ivel. That certainly gave me a shock. But it was a magical moment too. Never to be forgotten.