Lovely shots, Jack. Spring is late here too. I miss hearing one of my favorites, the Varied Thrush. Among the most wonderful , thoughtful songs to me. Hummers haven't shown yet, but should any time. Love Black Headed Grosbeaks. Their song is wonderful. Uncommon bird to see, they like big thick forests here.
A few shares..





The next was quite a unique privilege to see, years ago while traveling the Palouse country in central Idaho. Along the highway, sitting on fence posts, in late afternoon sun, were a group of ravens. One was pure white. They were lined up, facing the sun, just like that. The image burned in my head. I wish I had a camera. In contacting a world renowned biologist , who specifically studies ravens all over the world, he informed me that this sighting was indeed rare. Himself, of all the ravens he has seen, has never seen a white one. I sent him a print of this image. He wrote the book " The Mind Of the Raven". Along with others. He said it was a family group I saw. In the late sunlight, he gleamed like carved ivory.

And last...something I have sought for ...I saw this hair broach in use ..by a martial arts master. Carved beautifully out of hardwood, a raven, solid black. A thing of beauty , worn in the hair ...but a lethal weapon when used correctly. Elegant, and lethal at the same time. In deft handling, the master flipped it just so in his fingers, and with a turn of his body for momentum, flung it as a dagger into a wood surface. Us students were transfixed. Used on the right area of head , neck, or solar plexus, he explained , it is lethal. All these years , I have had my eyes on lookout for a similar , beautiful broach for my hair as well. I had to draw an image of it.