GRAY RAINY DAYS.....HOW THE BIRDS, PLANTS, BUGS AND WEE PEOPLE DEAL WITH IT...

As I awakened this morning, I could instantly feel the grayness of the day. Lifting the shade and looking out the window right behind the head of our bed, this gray feeling was confirmed. I could see that the sky was so many different shades of gray as far as one could see.  I already knew that the weather prediction for today was to be mostly cloudy with a very good chance of rain. I suppose it is to be expected - it is the end of the winter season transitioning into the beginning of the spring season.  Tulips are beginning to push up through the soil everywhere in my flower beds. Also in places that I don't even remember planting them.  The busy squirrels dug up some of the bulbs I planted, to store for winter food and then they also always feel the need to redesign my landscape plan. I can see a wisp of green here and there where fresh new buds are popping out on the trees and bushes in anticipation of another wonderful year of growth.   I always feel a great amount of hope and joy when I see that nature is performing normally despite whatever else might be going on in this world.  The thought of spring and all of its possibilities always warms my heart.  It's been a long winter and it had to have been hard on all the plants, the birds, the Wee Folk and all of the little bugs.  I'm sure that they are just as happy and anxious as I am for the daily signs of the upcoming spring/summer.  Warmer weather, many days of sunshine interspersed with sprinkles of welcome rain.   

Sitting comfortably in my warm and cozy window seat, I pull my soft afghan up around me. I brewed a cup of my favorite coffee and am enjoying that while I sit and watch and wonder about what goes on outside on these gray days. This all seems so wonderful when I name all of the reasons to feel good, but gray days still always make me feel kind of blah!  I often wonder how wildlife feels about it being gray and hazy with the feel of the coming rain hanging heavy in the air.    Do the birds stay closer to their houses rounding up their family members and then tending to their long overdue, neglected chores....do the bugs line their children up and have everyone doing their share of picking up and tidying their warm, dry space.....and do the wee folk stay in their quarters, keeping a kettle of hot water on the ready for a cup of tea and also a big pot of hot hearty soup for those visitors that don't have anywhere to go during these storms.  While they are waiting to see if a wet young bird who got caught off guard or a scared bug who got separated from their family stops by, do they tend to their never-ending basket of clothes to mend while welcoming and warming their visitors with a cup of hot chamomile tea 

or a bowl of acorn soup?    

Or, am I just projecting onto them the things that I might do on a day such as this? 

I spot a few birds flying through in a hurry for a seed or two from our full feeders, but not very many of them on cloudy days.  On beautiful sunny days birds visit all of our feeders all day long until the last seed is gone. On these bright sunny days, the birds tend to mill around the feeders, cracking sunflower seeds open for the tasty treat and just generally hanging around until a bird friend of theirs wants a place at the table also. Then they fly to a nearby branch or fence picket and wait their turn to go in again.  Occasionally, they cock their heads to be able to look up at the sky both enjoying the warmth of the sun and possibly looking for predators.

 I crack the window a little bit and can hear low rolling thunder in the distance.

  Perhaps all of the bugs, birds, Wee Folk and plants have been preparing for the rain and are taking advantage of this gray day by tending to their indoor activities.  Restacking their gathered supply of food, making sure that the walls and roof of their area are secure and then just settling down for a rest and to wait out the coming rains. Bugs always seem to be busy but I'm sure when they feel the winds change and hear the thunder rolling, they start to think about going to their safe spaces. Whether it be under a big protective leaf or up into the knot in their favorite tree.  Under the garage or barn door and into where it is dry is always a good place to wait out the wind and rain.   I never actually see the birds flying to and fro when it is raining. I picture them huddled together on a branch with their family and friends under a big thick pine bough to stay as warm and dry as possible.  With the younger and older ones under their spread-out wings, further protecting these dear ones.  It is early spring, so the birds have been busy making their nests, or cleaning up one that they use year after year to make ready for egg laying and spring babies. As I peek out the window, I do see the Robins fly up under the eaves to sit in their as yet empty nests to just wait out the rain.   I think that the Wee Folk are always busy, no matter the weather - busy with the jobs that are assigned to them in their world of taking care of nature. I picture them taking stock of their supply of food that they so willingly share with the birds and bugs when necessary and stacking and restacking all of their collected sticks, rocks and items to help repair or build protection for their friends in nature.  I think that they would occasionally sit down with a cup of hot tea and pick up the mending that needs to be done on their handmade blankets and pillows. Also, with mortar and pestle they continue blending the various herbs that they had hung and dried from last summer's crop to make into delicious tea blends to brew cups of hot tea for anyone that comes to visit.  I think that they also dedicate some of their time to weaving the many pine needles that lay beneath our tall pines into baskets to hold berries, herbs and collected items that may be useful to them or to one of their friends in nature.   

 The slow long low rumbles of thunder sound like music to the dry soil I'm sure - a big drink of fresh rainwater is coming.    And then, all of a sudden, here it comes.  First slow falling, big splatting heavy drops of rain that you can hear individually hitting on the window and on the metal roof.  And then, after the beautiful prelude, the clouds open up further and the symphony begins with all of the drops falling down from the clouds all at once, hitting every plastic, metal and any other surface that will add to the beautiful musical concert.   It is raining so hard at the moment that I cannot even see my garden very well.  I do hope that everyone is safe and warm out there.... 

I do worry about all of the little ones out there - will they be okay?  This is their daily life - all they've ever known and I'm sure they are much more prepared than we are.  We can just dash into the house out of the elements and go to the refrigerator when we're in need of a snack.  They have to be much more prepared for challenging days like today. They always need to stock up on food supplies and regularly continue to reinforce their space that will keep them safely out of the wind, rain & snow.  It doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon.  Afterall, April showers will bring all of the beautiful May flowers.... I hope that they are all tucked into their warm, dry spaces on this rainy, rather cool day.  Tomorrow the sun will come out and dry up the puddles and once again all will be able to come and go as they please, doing what they need to do to thrive and survive.  But, for today, rest, relax and know we need both kinds of days - gray slower days that allow us to be lazy and bright sunny days that energize us.  

Stay safe little ones - see you out and about tomorrow....