Spring

Douglas Taylor 
The High Prairian, March 2005

For me spring is the grandest season of the year on High Prairie. I enjoy the magnificent array of wildflowers with the distant views of the many snow-capped mountains. The newborn animals and newly hatched birds are in abundance. Spring comes with occasional rains, gently blowing winds and much, much sunshine. 

Much of the early farm work has been done and anticipating the haying season. With the aroma of new plowed fields and the special scent of the cutting of fresh alfalfa hay, it gives one the pleasurable joy of aromas not always experienced. Scents that one will never experience behind the unleaded or diesel exhaust of a vehicle on the freeway. 

We have so many varieties of wildflowers taking turns at giving us their beauty that most times their sights and smells are tantalizing. Many plants that have a local name I find have an entirely different common name. Of course I have no idea of the names of many flowers, but are beautiful just the same.

It is always exciting and relaxing to see the new farm animal babies chasing each other in a game of tag. Of course this is not unique to farm animal babies. Watching fawns and coyote pups chasing and playing together makes me think maybe we get too tied up with our own troubles and tribulations to see the grander side of life. 

Many times even two or more mother wild turkey hens join up with their broods for company and protection. I have often noted one or two mothers of the wild babysitting several little ones and protecting them all. 

If you’re coming to visit us in the spring, the wild flowers are generally best in late April or early May. The fawns start arriving late May along with the broods of turkeys, grouse, Hungarian partridge and quail. 

The robins hatch and raise their young quite early in the spring. In many years I thought the robins would be starting to nest, only to find young robins already out of the nest and flying about. 

Some of our bird friends like the Lewis’ woodpecker are quite rare in many Washington areas, but plentiful in our oak trees of the Prairie. 

The best of life is free. Enjoy and stop for a minute and let the grandeur of your surroundings overwhelm you.

Photos: David Baker
L–R: Dutchman’s Breeches, Glacier Lilies, Shooting Stars


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