The return of the Red Wing Blackbirds each spring always seemed to coincide with my father's birthday ... or at least that's what he said.
"The Redwings come back for my birthday" he would say (and still does, I believe). As a child, I was not sure if this was a fact or just a coincidence of nature. However year ~ after ~ year ... there they were!
Now I watch ... and wait ... looking out my window each morning to see if I see one. Now I listen ... as I walk the dog early each morning to hear their distinctive call.
On March 13th (the day BEFORE dad's birthday) he called to say that he and mom had seen their first - less than 20 hours ahead of schedule.
The next morning I watched and listened .. no Redwings. ... and then, on Wednesday ~ the 16th ~ There it was! Not in my yard ... but perched on a reed alongside the road as I crested the hill, and entered the State Park area. I was headed to work ... but I grabbed my phone (and used the headset of course, c'mon, I was driving!) and called my Dad.
Now it's settled ... we have seen the family "totem" of Spring and the warm days will soon arrive. The tradition remains, and the cycle of the seasons holds constancy in this uncertain life we live.