Vernal Interruptus

After tantalizing days of sun and relative warmth that brought out daffodils and croci and even an evening primrose as tree buds began to swell and grass to green, a north wind and clear night interrupted spring and dropped our temperature to 16F last night. We could almost hear the whimpering vegetation as we trekked past ponds covered in new skim ice to breakfast at M..'s. Such quick change is normal for New England, where in our area we often must remind ourselves that last frost might come before May 30, or not.
Despite reports of famished bears (see post Spring has Arrived) emerging from hibernation and destroying bird feeders for the seed, we are tempting fate by refilling ours, which continues to attract local birds such as this male hairy woodpecker and an assortment of goldfinch, sparrows, and juncos trying to keep warm with the many calories in sunflower hearts.