Spring has certainly sprung . . .

I love this time of year.  Everything is greening up, and all of the birds are busy.  We have about 10 hummingbirds at the feeders a good part of the day.  They're going through about  1/2 gallon of nectar every 2 days or so.  The geese are back.  Last year the female made her nest on the roof of the shed closest to the house.  (That shed houses the chickens, a storage/work area, garden tools, and wood.)  I could watch the goose tend to her nest from the house.  She had six babies.  Mom & dad took very good care of them until they were grown.  They all flew away at the end of the season.  This year the mom built her nest on the roof of the shed out in the pasture.  I can barely see her from the house.  This year she only had two babies.  Again, mom & dad are taking great care of them.  The babies are usually between mom & dad, and dad gets uppity if anyone (or anything) gets too close.  Great parents.  The orioles are back.  Gorgeous colors!  Bright orange & yellow-orange.  In the past we've had two pairs.  At least I think it was two pairs.  There were two brightly colored birds and two that were less so.  Anyway, we've had a woven, hanging nest in the willow tree the last 2 or 3 years.  Mother Nature is amazing.  I could watch birds all day.  I think of birds as my guardian angels.  I can never be sad while watching them.