You just never know what kind of weather to expect in the month of April – an early spring snowfall, April showers or bright, sunshiney days. But one thing I know for sure is that crocuses and daffodils will begin to bloom and thrive – even if covered in a blanket of the white stuff! Even with a lingering chill, the trees will start to bud and the birds will start singing.
A sure sign that spring has sprung is seeing a big, fat robin in your backyard foraging for earthworms brought out of the ground during a spring shower. One of the first birds you might see and hear near your bird feeder is a red-winged blackbird with their trilling call. You will also notice song sparrows, killdeer and sandhill cranes traveling back to our area.
On April 8, there will be a special treat for stargazers when a total solar eclipse will occur. This happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s face. On April 8, Genesee County Parks will host a Solar Eclipse Extravaganza from 2-4pm at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum Visitors Center. How often does an eclipse happen? How can we view one safely? Get these questions answered. You will also make an eclipse viewer so you can safely view the occurrence. Very cool!
“It’s time to visit the local greenhouses and choose your flowers and garden seeds to plant.”
The month of April also brings the return of many outdoor activities. As I was driving home the other day, I watched a group of teenage boys shooting hoops on the basketball court at Clover Beach. In downtown Linden, young mothers were outside strolling their toddlers and a group of young girls were wearing shorts, talking and giggling – while enjoying ice cream cones. There were couples holding hands on walking trails. At area golf courses, the parking lots were jam-packed as impatient golfers swung their clubs for the first round of the season. While driving over the Independence Bridge in Bay City, I saw a ton of boats on the Bay and anglers were out in force – a sure sign that spring has sprung.
I spoke with Jackie Domerese of Genesee County Parks about all the great activities coming up this spring and summer (see story pg.10) and there are plenty of outdoor options for the young and old alike. She is particularly excited about the launching of the new Buell Lake Disc Golf Course this month. The 5,844-foot, 18-hole course leads players through open fields and tangles of forests. Sounds like springtime fun to me!
Of course, with all of the fun activities to look forward to, there is a downside: It’s also spring cleanup time for your yard and your deck. However, there is some fun involved in that, too! It’s time to visit the local greenhouses and choose your flowers and garden seeds to plant. I have a lot of work to do this year – paint the deck, power-wash the house. Yes, there is a list of projects, but I can’t wait to buy flowers and herbs for the garden and colorful flower baskets for the deck.
Through the warm and wonderful days of April, I will look forward to working around my yard. As an avid golfer, I can’t wait to get out on the course. But what I am most looking forward to is watching my youngest grandson Elijah play Little League baseball for the first time! I will definitely be his biggest fan.
