As this month is drawing to a close, I am, again, musing about its changeability. From record low to record high temperatures, from snow- and rainfalls to wind- and thunderstorms, Colorado Springs has seen it all. Whereas the first spring flowers were welcomed warmly, they paid for their precocity with their lives. Our daffodils and hyacinths did not recover, nor did the beautiful blossoms of the ornamental trees. Fruit orchards on Colorado’s Western Slope were assailed by frost at their most vulnerable, leading to distressing losses of the future harvest.
Während sich der April dem Ende zuneigt, sinne ich wiederum seiner Wechselhaftigkeit nach. Von Kälte- bis Hitzerekorden, von Schnee und Regen bis hin zu Wind und Donner, haben wir in Colorado Springs alles erlebt. Auch wenn die ersten Frühlingsblüten warm willkommen geheißen wurden, bezahlten sie für ihre Frühreife mit ihrem Leben. Weder die Osterglocken noch die Hyazinthen überlebten, ebenso wenig wie die wunderschönen Blüten der Zierbäume. Obstplantagen in den westlichen Gefilden Colorados wurden während der anfälligsten Phase von Frost angegriffen, was in verheerenden Ernteverlusten resultieren wird.
Nature is in a state of flux. While grasses are greening and bushes are beginning to don an emerald veil, trees are still mostly leafless. This is perhaps not unusual, but I seem more conscious of it these days. And more impatient for progress. Anticipation turns me insomniac, makes me look forward to each new morning, and enables me to experience many a rose-fingered dawn.
Die Natur ist im Wandel begriffen. Auch wenn die Gräser langsam grünen und die Sträucher sich einen grünlichen Schleier anlegen, sind die meisten Bäume noch blattlos. Obwohl das nicht ungewöhnlich ist, bin ich mir der Tatsache dieser Tage eher bewußt. Und warte ungeduldig auf Fortschritt. Meine Erwartungen rauben mir den Schlaf, lassen mich auf die Dämmerung warten und haben es mir ermöglicht, wiederholt die rosenfingrige Morgenröte zu erleben.
Birds are migrating in the northern hemisphere (and I assume in the southern, too). Almost every day brings new arrivals from the south, many of them clad in gorgeous breeding plumage, to better impress their future mates. Even the first hummingbirds have survived their incredible journey from Mexico. Our resident birds, too, are alive with spring fever: dancing, strutting turkeys, and mallard drakes nearly drowning their ladies during lovemaking. Robins begin to twitter in utter darkness, gradually to be joined by additional songsters, until the entire ether resounds with the glorious notes of the morning chorus.
Der Vogelzug auf der nördlichen Halbkugel ist im Gange, bzw. im Fluge (das gilt wahrscheinlich auch für die Südhalbkugel). Fast jeder Tag bringt Neuankömmlinge aus dem Süden, von denen viele ihr Prachtgewand tragen, um ihre zukünftigen Partner zu beeindrucken. Sogar die ersten Kolibris haben ihre unglaubliche Reise aus Mexiko hinter sich gebracht. Unsere Standortvögel verleihen ihren Frühlingsgefühlen Ausdruck: Hier sind die tanzenden, stolzierenden Truhähne, und da die Stockentenerpel, die ihre Damen beim Liebespiel fast ertränken. Drosseln zwitschern bereits wenn es noch stockdunkel ist, doch nach und nach schließen sich ihnen weitere Sänger an, bis der gesamte Äther mit den herrlichen Noten des Morgenchors widerhallt.
Spring is advancing at its own, good pace, and while the last months have been a time of stagnation for many humans, I hope that external doesn’t necessarily equal internal stagnation. Personally, having ingested countless words from books and no fewer impressions from the natural world, I feel the need to properly digest my diet, to ruminate and not yet regurgitate. Coupled with the desire to spend time away from the screen, this has made me decide to go on hiatus from blogging for a while. My friends, I trust that May will bring more changes for the better for all of us. Until we meet again I wish you good health and a positive outlook.
Während der Frühling seinem eigenen, weisen Rhythmus folgt und viele Fortschritte mit sich bringt, ist dies eine Zeit der Stagnation für zahlreiche Menschen. Doch ich hoffe, daß eine äußerliche Stagnation nicht unbedingt einer innerlichen gleich kommt. Nachdem ich persönlich in den vergangenen Monaten zahllose Worte aus Büchern und nicht weniger Impressionen aus der natürlichen Welt verschlungen habe, habe ich das Bedürfnis, meine Diät gut zu verdauen und wiederzukäuen, und sie nicht sofort wiederzugeben. Nebst dem Wunsch, weniger Zeit am Bildschirm zu verbringen, hat mich das dazu veranlaßt, mir eine Auszeit vom Bloggen zu nehmen. Meine Freunde, ich vertraue darauf, daß der Mai in vieler Hinsicht für uns alle besser wird. Bis zum „Wiedersehen“ wünsche ich Euch gute Gesundheit und Zuversicht.
To enlarge a photo, click on it. To read its caption, hover the cursor over it.
Zum Vergrößern, das Bild bitte anklicken. Um den Titel zu lesen, mit der Maus darüber schweben.
Da ist die Natur bei uns im Moment doch ein ganzes Stück weiter.
Deine Aufnahmen sind aber herrlich.
LG Jürgen
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Dankeschön, lieber Jürgen. Die Tatsache, daß wir auf 2.000 Meter Höhe leben, hat sicherlich etwas damit zu tun.
Ich wünsche Dir noch einen angenehmen Frühling.
Alles Gute,
Tanja
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Ich wünsche dir eine gute Auszeit, liebe Tanja.
Bleib gesund!
Danke für Wort und Bild.
Es hat mir gut gefallen!
Viele liebe Grüße,
Brigitte
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Es freut mich, daß Dir die Photos und der Text zugesagt haben, liebe Brigitte. Auch Euch wünsche ich weiterhin gute Gesundheit und viele schöne Erlebnisse in der Natur (oder mit den Eisbären).
Herzliche Grüße,
Tanja
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Beautiful pictures of birds and nature..!! Loved the blossoms, but I love Ice the most.. ❤ ❄❄❄❄❄❄
Thank you Madam for sharing..!! 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed my review of the month.
Thank you, and good wishes,
Tanja
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You are welcome Madam.. ❄️❄️
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Your weekly postings will be missed Tanja, enjoy your spring. Until whenever B
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That’s nice of you to say, Brian. I hope your spring will be filled with more beautiful blossoms, birds, and butterflies.
Best wishes,
Tanja
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These are beautiful photos Tanja! Take care and stay well, and I hope it’s not too long until we meet again. Till then, much love from Liz xx
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Thank you so much, Liz, I’m glad you enjoyed my April review. I wish you and Nigel a happy, healthy autumn in N.Z.
Warmest wishes,
Tanja
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Hello dear Tanja,
As always, your writing and beautiful photography are always so thoughtful and thought-provoking. I too, will look forward to your next post whenever is best for you. In the meantime, please do continue to take care and stay safe – our continued best wishes to you and yours.
Your friend, Takami
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Thank you so much for your kind comment, Takami. I look forward to spending time out-of-doors with the birds and flowers, and hope to have plenty to share after a break.
I hope you and your family will stay healthy as well.
Take care,
Tanja ❤
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Eine sehr interessanter Bericht mit tollen Fotos. Während euer Frühling sich sehr viel Zeit lässt , sah es in den letzten Tagen bei uns schon wieder sehr sommerlich aus. Die Trockenheit bereitet der Land und Forstwirtschaft große Sorge. Noch ein vom Klimawechsel beeinflussten Sommer, könnte zu erheblichen Ernteeinbrüche führen. Leider muß sich unsere Politik schwerpunktmässig mit der Coronakrise beschäftigten . Der Schutz des Klima gerät dadurch etwas ins Hintertreffen .
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Dankeschön lieber Werner. Die Trockenheit macht auch uns hier zu schaffen, und die kurzen Verbesserungen mancher Umweltbedingungen durch die Pandemie werden sicherlich schnell wieder zunichte gemacht, sobald sich alles wieder “normalisiert”.
Auch wenn ich mir wünsche, daß wir aus der momentanen Krise mit neuen Zielsetzungen herauskommen könnten, bezweifle ich, daß sich diese Art Weitsicht durchsetzen wird. 😪
Ich wünsche Dir noch einen schönen Frühling mit weiterer Genesung.
Herzlichst,
Tanja
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Happy hiatus.
“Anticipation turns me insomniac.” While that’s undesirable per se, you managed to say it in a novel way; Google returned no hits for that wording.
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Do you mean to tell me that I coined an original, never-used expression, Steve? That will make me lose even more sleep! 😊
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The first word that your second sentence caused to pop into my head was doch, and I wanted to stick that word into an English sentence like “A novel expression is doch something to be happy about, not to lose sleep over.” Would that be a correct use of doch to counter the negativity in your comment about losing sleep?
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That’s the perfect way to express your thought, Steve. And you are right, it’s something to be happy about, but too much happiness can rob one of one’s sleep, too! 🙂
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Hi Tanja
I’ll miss your weekly posts, and your regular comments on my own. I hope you’ll be back before too long. Meanwhile, have a great break and take pleasure in the wonders of the natural world that your photos reflect. Take care, and stay safe. With sincere best wishes to you from the Platypus Man.
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Thank you, Mr. P. I will miss you, too, and look forward to catching up again after a break.
I wish you and Mrs. P continued good health and at least a few memorable bird encounters this spring.
Kindest regards,
Tanja
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Beautiful words, beautiful images. As always! I’ll miss you, but enjoy your break. Sometimes they are necessary.
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I appreciate the kind feedback, Laurie, and hope spring in Maine will be to your and your husband’s liking.
All the best,
Tanja
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I understand, completely. I’ll miss your posts, but I’ll also enjoy the thought of you doing what we’re meant to do: living life, and appreciating the world we’re given.
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Thank you, Linda, I appreciate it.
Enjoy your Texas spring!
Tanja
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Morning, Tanja. My area, in contrast to yours, doesn’t have a whole lot of bird-singing going on. It seems a bit strange to me. Maybe more birds will migrate to this area over the next few weeks.
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I hope you will get to hear more beautiful bird song, Neil. Maybe you need to set your alarm a little earlier. The robins here start singing before 5! 😊
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Beautifully written. Amazing photographs!
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I appreciate the kind comment, V.J.
Thank you! 🙂
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Welcome!
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Sending much peace, Tanja.
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I appreciate it, Dwight. I hope you are doing well.
Best,
Tanja
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Beautiful photographs, Tanja! I hope you come back from your break rested and refreshed! It’s a great time to get away from the screen and enjoy life outside and the excitements and energy of nature. I’m trying to spend as much time as I can in the garden this year and walking around the countryside near by and feel much better for it. Wishing you good health! 🙂
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Thank you, Ann. That’s exactly what I intend to do: spend time in the garden and with the birds, and read my tall stack of books once it gets too warm outside.
I wish us both much enjoyment out-of-doors and continued good health.
Tanja
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May is coming!
Congratulations to your beautiful photos…
bye Tanja, have a nice day! 🙂
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Thank you. I hope your May will be beautiful.
Best,
Tanja
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I really hope….thank you so much!
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Das kann ich sehr gut nachvollziehen, meine liebe Tanja. Meine Auszeit dauert nun wesentlich länger als geplant. Aber es ist wie es ist. Bleib bitte gesund! Es wird wieder bessere Zeiten geben!! GLG Simone
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Liebe Simone,
es freut mich sehr, von Dir zu hören, ich hatte mich schon gefragt, wie es Dir geht. Ich hoffe sehr, daß Du gesund und munter bist. Und wann immer Du wieder Lust und Muse zum Bloggen hast, dann wird es die richtige Zeit für Dich sein. Das sage ich mir auch.
Sei herzlich gegrüßt, und danke für Deinen Besuch!
Tanja
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Wonderful nature photos again. Our April has been unseasonably warm and dry. But what is seasonal nowadays? Crazy changes. We are facing drought conditions. The little rain and no snow we’ve had in Eastern Austria this year is very bad for agriculture. If rains don’t arrive in May, the crops for many a farmer will be lost.
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That’s very concerning, Karin. We, too, are suffering from a dearth of precipitation and unseasonably warm temperatures. Let’s hope May will bring all of us some much-needed moisture.
Take care,
Tanja
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Love migration both spring and fall. Great post!
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Thank you, Lisa, I’m with you. 🙂
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Beautiful photos as usual! Best wishes during your time away from the screen.
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Thank you on both counts, Patty! 🌻
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Although I post most every day, I completely understand your need to step back, breathe in the Colorado air, and let your body and soul relax. These are some wonderful images you are sharing in starting your hiatus and we all will be happy once you have rebounded and feel like sharing again.. Enjoy your days, Tanja. ❤
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Very kind of you, Steve, thank you very much.
Happy May to you. 🌸
Tanja
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“Personally, having ingested countless words from books and no fewer impressions from the natural world, I feel the need to properly digest my diet, to ruminate and not yet regurgitate.” Have been feeling the same way. May your ruminating time be fruitful. Hoping this finds you safe and well.
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I appreciate the comment and return your good wishes for a time filled with positive reflections.
All the best,
Tanja
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Beautiful captures of Spring in the making!
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Thank you, Donna. Happy May to you! 🌼
Tanja
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Here’s wishing you a fruitful time “away from the screen”. I find my blogging takes a back seat in the warm months, when the call of being outside (and the many gardening tasks) take precedence over technology. Be well and safe!
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Thank you, Julie. Migration is in full swing, and the yard brings new daily surprises as well.
Here is wishing both of us a fruitful time in nature.
Fondly,
Tanja
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A lovely tribute to spring. Those images are gorgeous. And then I want to wish you a great time in your hiatus. Look forward to seeing you again whenever you are ready.
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I appreciate the kind comment and good wishes, Otto, and wish you a pleasant month of May.
Best,
Tanja
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here in Naples the swallows have arrived….
bye
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I’m so glad for you. Enjoy! 😊
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Such beautiful photos! I especially like the pelicans, on a nest, perhaps?
I’m with you on stepping away from the screen. I’ve been feeling much the same urge and, in fact, was on the brink of writing a farewell post last week. I hope your time away enriches your soul and you come back feeling restored.
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I’m always happy to see pelicans, Melissa, but they only travel through the area, and even though the platform they are resting on does, indeed, look like a nest, this pair only graced us with their temporary presence.
I return the same good wishes for you during your time away from the screen.
All the best,
Tanja
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Tanja, are you okay? I hope so.
Neil
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Dear Neil,
How thoughtful of you to check in with me. Other than despairing of humankind, which you might be able to relate to, overall I’m ok. I hope the same is true for you and Sandy!
Kindest regards and best wishes for you 2,
Tanja
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Yeah, we all need to do our best to hang in there. These are unbelievable times, for sure.
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