Gayle M Irwin

Spring officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere on Thursday, March 20. Where I live in Wyoming, we can experience days of snow and cold and then in a week or less, have temperatures that reflect spring and summer. 

Red finches, house finches, robins, sandhill cranes, and mountain bluebirds arrived in parts of Wyoming earlier than usual this year, including finches and robins in my yards. These species are indicators of springtime, and with the official arrival of the new season this week, I am one of many people looking forward to welcoming warmer weather and additional spring species. 

My husband and I maintain bird feeders and water dishes in our front, back, and side yards. My home office has a bank of three windows overlooking the front yard and three more looking into the side yard. We've placed feeders in both locations, and the cat and I often gaze out the windows after I've placed fresh seed in the feeders and fresh water in the bird baths and water dishes. The lovely winged creatures fly in and out of the watering hole, taking baths and drinks, and then fly back to a tree or fence. Dashes of red, crimson, white, brown, and sometimes black, capture our attention. The cat lays on my desk and I gaze out the window longer than I probably should (I should be working!), but I so enjoy watching these little creatures feast, drink, and play.

 

I incorporate various bird species in several of my sweet romance books, including Canada geese and trumpeter swans. The majestic, large white swans nearly became extinct during the early-to-mid 1900s. Several types of birds were killed for their feathers, as well as the heads and even whole bodies, which adorned ladies' hats during this time frame. Learn about these and other 'crimes of fashion' from the Frick Pittsburge Museum & Gardens website here: https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Story-Crimes-of-Fashion-Gilded-Age-Millinery-and-the-Plight-of-Birds.

Thanks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, many avian species were saved from extinction and could no longer be used as articles of human clothing. Trumpeter swans found sanctuary in a remote part of Montana known as Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge as well as in Yellowstone National Park. Red Rock Lakes is now a U.S. national wildlife refuge where visitors can go and see trumpeters. Additionally, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, Wyoming continue to provide safety for these birds, and they are making a comeback from low numbers even in these places of refuge. 

I'm fortunate to live within driving distance and can visit almost any time, as I did late last fall and during the spring of 2020 where I observed osprey, swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, mountain bluebirds, and yellow warblers, among other species.

I hope you and your family are able to spend time outdoors this spring, enjoying nature and the amazing birds that grace our landscapes.

Speaking of national parks, birds, and outdoor adventures, here's a reminder that my seven-book bundle, Pet Rescue Romance - Yellowstone Country, remains on sale until the end of this month. 

In several of the books, including Rescue Road, Paws-ing for Love, and Paws-itively Love, you'll find mentions of various bird species, including trumpeter swans. The collection is $2.00 off the regular price, and sales this month will be donated to Yellowstone Forever, the non-profit arm of Yellowstone National Park, and to the National Conservation of National Parks, the overall non-profit for America's national parks.

Purchase the seven-book bundle from your favorite online e-book retailer via this link:

https://books2read.com/u/bPLVX7