The woods in Lanark are emerging from their long winter, and it was good to encounter tufts of green grass and fronds of fernery here and there when I was rambling among the trees a few days ago. The new spring snow was rather like icing sugar in consistency, a fine powdery coating which clung to everything, and it made a lovely sound underfoot as I walked. The streams in the woods are wide open and running free, and there are waterfalls everywhere.As I pottered about, there were waves of returning geese overhead, and I listened carefully for grosbeak songs, but my beloved singers have not yet returned to the countryside. The voices of Canada Geese and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are (for me) the perfect music of Spring returning to the Lanark Highlands.
This is Spring's task this year: to be mindful as I walk, to be aware of my forest kin, of the small green lives and leafy wonders in my native place, to listen to the wise voices of stones and trees, waterfalls and streams along with the plangent voices of the owls, wolves, coyotes and deer - it is a wonderful undertaking for any time and any season.
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