At 22:45 UTC (coordinated universal time) this Friday 20 March, the Vernal Equinox is upon us.  According to Wikipedia, "On the day of the equinox, the center of the Sun spends a roughly equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on the Earth, so night and day are about the same length."  There are a good many signs of spring that seem to happen quite gradually, and if we are not paying attention or if the skies are overcast, we might not see the amount of daylight changing.  Again, from Wikipedia  "At the equinoxes, the rate of change for the length of daylight and night-time is the greatest." So those of us in the northern hemisphere are along for a great ride into more daylight hours at a faster rate than at other other time of year.

But as early as February, nature starts to reflect the changes.  Sandhill cranes begin their migration north, at least in this area, sometimes in the second week of February, continuing well into March.  Last Thursday, in the darkness of night, we heard a group of cranes that seemed to be right outside our window, either landing or startled by a predator.  Just at the next morning's light, we scanned everywhere for them to no avail.  

All the birds have been extremely active this week.  The mountain and western bluebirds have yet to sort out who gets the two luxury suites - the first a birdhouse our friend Robert made that is hanging in a piñon tree, and the other Fred made for housing bluebirds but also to cover the satellite communications box.  

We talk with our feathered friends frequently, and yesterday Fred answered a bird before both of us said nearly simultaneously and with great excitement "phoebe".  The Say's phoebe, a type of flycatcher (Sayornis saya), has arrived two different years on 16 March, and two other different years on 18 March, but none that we have recorded on the 14th. They winter in the southern parts of Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Texas, as well as in Mexico, but spread all over the western United States to breed, which is why we see them from March until September.  After that, their main food supply - flying insects - becomes sparse and they follow the food.

One sure sign of spring is the arrival of the Cassin's finches.  Although, technically (according to the Peterson Field Guide of Western Birds), Cassin's finches are year-round residents in northern and northwestern New Mexico.  But they do not arrive on the mesa until early March.  During their stay, they eat massive amounts of seed, breed, raise chicks and then depart in June or July.  Bright red, punk feathers on top of the male's head distinguish it from the heavily striped basic brown and white female.  With that flaming top knot and a relatively short time in residence here, these dudes are ready to rock and roll.

Cassin's finches

Cassin's finches  Happy Equinox!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@