Long Point - avian signs of spring and "hooking"

Last week we got our last blast of winter and the world was all white again, for a day.

In spite of the accumulation of snow and the gusty winds, the birds believe it is spring. I have seen swans flying overhead for the last 3 weeks, there are lots of birds at the feeders; the usual sparrows, chickadees, junkos and the cardinal has returned after a long absence.

Most people take a sighting of a robin as the sign of spring but George considered the red winged blackbirds to be his indicator. He loved to see them perched on the reeds in the marshes beside the causeway. He hated that they would land en masse and empty the bird feeders. They were the primary reason for his rationing of the bird food. Well, they're back!

Rasta was quite disturbed by the storm...........

....... as you can see.

This weekend "the hookers" came to stay. Just 3 of us this time. The "original 3", as we started hooking together over 20 years ago at a class in Paris and used to get together every week to hook. Our group has expanded and now we try and get together, for a weekend, 4 or 5 times a year, at a rug hooking course, the annual show or at each others homes. We were very productive this weekend, all working on the rugs that are going to be taken to Scotland in May and displayed in October at a gallery, for Scottish Homecoming.

Pam had finished hooking hers and spent the weekend finishing the edge and back bindings

Heather worked on the cliff face and with trepidation now faces the sky.

I worked on the stone wall and have the most left to do.

Rasta was extremely helpful, the whole weekend, especially to Heather:

"Let me help you with that, I can hold the burlap while you draw on it."

"Yep, all this wool seems to be in order."

" and this wool too."

"Well Pam, all these loops feel perfect"

"This hoop is just my size, but I believe it's missing some burlap"

Perfect!

Sorry, too many cat pictures. I will end with the lovely sunset that we had on Saturday night. Which is another sign of spring as it no longer sets over the lake, but rather, behind the dune.