October Spring

There is a cognitive dissonance when I look at the calendar and then go outside. It's October and spring is in full bloom. I'm very excited that we have these gorgeous dark purple lilacs in our yard.

We also have this tree that has what looks like cherry blossom pom-poms.

There are two or three curly willows in the yard. They were pretty when they were just bare twisty branches, but now they are leafing out with slender curly leaves. In the wind, of which there is a lot, it's reminiscent of Olympic ribbon dancing.

Spring is also being experienced by the bird life in the neighborhood. A couple days ago, our resident lady magpie serenaded me (watch it here). It's such a unique warble. (I can tell she's a female because the back of her neck is mottled with gray, and male magpies have a solid white patch on the back.) Every morning the two magpies that live in our yard sing outside our bedroom window. They are far more lovely than the screeching of the wattle birds. Not long ago I saw a rumble in our front yard which included 2 crows, 4 magpies, and 2 wattle birds. Squawks, feathers, and grass bits flew everywhere. My own personal "angry birds" showdown.