Today I saw a section of carpet in my apartment that had been covered with what I can only call "a pile of junk" for over two years. I was relieved to see that it was pretty much the same color as the other carpeting in the room. I'm 80% done with my Spring Cleaning for 2009, and when I'm done with that, there will still be some 2010 and 2011 Spring Cleaning to do (the kitchen and bathroom floors, for example, need a full second mopping, knowwhatImean?)

Right on! Cleaning feels good. When it's finished, anyway.

These aren't specific to today, but I've been noticing:

a) The redbuds (state tree of Oklahoma!) are really beginning to bloom nicely. The dogwoods also, but they're maybe a week or two behind the redbuds.

b) There are a couple of good sized ponds on my campus, both right by the Science building (where my classes are) and there's a small but significant waterfowl population that call them home, mostly ducks with a few geese and the occasional Egret. Since daylight savings kicked in a few weeks back and sunset has been later in the day, I've been able to kind of hang out and watch them after class/on my smoke breaks before labs. They're totally accustomed to people hanging around. I need to take my camera out some time and try to snap some photos.

We went hiking yesterday and saw several turkey buzzards playing in the wind, a gopher popping its head up from its burrow, a bunch of Western Fence Lizards, cows, and a little fox that we think was a kit fox.

Today I mostly saw my cat, the white crowned sparrows that have found our newly hung bird feeder, and squashed snails.

A few days ago I saw a Great Heron, which was truly awesome.

Also, ikkyu2 has gotten into astronomy lately, and through his efforts I have seen Saturn and its rings, the Orion Nebula, and various other cool things in the sky.

Late last week, I saw a squirrel fall about 20 feet out of a tree. It kind of shook its head, then ran right back up into the tree again. I think I was more stunned than the squirrel was.

I saw all four cats sharing the futon. And I saw Abigail attack Oliver (her brother) in play, it's usually the other way around.

What? I don't get out often and lately when I do get out it's to the hospital.

BUTTHATREMINDSME! I saw two Canada Geese at the parking lot entrance to the hospital. They were both adults but one was obviously watching out for the other one while it looked for food. People were polite and drove around them although some of them did honk at the geese. So rude!

On Sunday my family and I took the kayaks to this beautiful spot on the Indian River. I saw a few porpoises and lots of birds and fish. There were plenty of crabs. I was hoping to spot a sea turtle. My father saw one at the same spot a few days earlier.

I saw my first violets of the spring yesterday. I haven't seen any robins yet, but I've got my eye out for them.

I've had redpools at my birdfeeder this week which is a kind of bird I've never seen before. Also had woodpeckers [downy, I htink] and since the leaves aren't on the trees yet I can see which trees they hang out in when they're not at my feeder. Driving back from NH this weekend I saw a deer on the side of the road and heck we can almost see the ground in some places up here!

I saw a flock of turkeys while driving to work. There's a decent population in my area, but I still delight in seeing them.

At my feeder, a yellow-rumped warbler, on it's way up north. I love to get them at my feeders in spring.

I pass a lake on my way to work, and there's a variety of waterfowl that I need to look up, but I can only get a glimpse of them!

I was soaking up flower viewing yesterday on the way home.

The forsythia are out, spraying fountains of large yellow drops.

All the cherry and plum trees in the neighborhood have popped. It is a festival of delicate pinks.

Our neighbor's border of daffodils and jonquils are nodding their heads on the corner in rhythm with a tune I can't hear. They are looking spiffy in their suits of white and citron.

It is all a beautiful counterpoint to the prevailing rain tones of grey.

Two weeks ago, an adult bald eagle.

Yesterday evening, I saw two mallard ducks, a male and female, waddling down a sidewalk downtown, looking like they were out for a stroll and chat. Wish I'd had a camera!