After days of absolutely beautiful springtime weather, the forecast is for rain, possible thunderstorms, and “marginal risk of severe weather today.”  True, the day did start out cloudy and gray, but outside the sun is now shining and the sky is blue with fluffy white clouds.  Welcome to the Berkshires where guessing the season can be like spinning a roulette wheel.  Wait an hour.  It’ll change.

And it did.  And then it changed back.  By afternoon, the blue skies had returned, and you could practically hear the weeds growing.  Then a movement outside the window caught my eye.  A movement made by a large, dark shape beneath the birdfeeder. 

My visitor from earlier in the week had returned.  I’m not sorry to say he was disappointed.  The bear sniffed the empty birdfeeder with its remains of cayenne (one dose of that a week ago made him cautious), but he proceeded to busy himself wandering around the yard, sniffing everything in sight.  I was content to watch him from inside the house.

When he paused by my little greenhouse with its plastic fabric cover, I drew the line.  It wouldn’t stand a chance against even a gentle swipe of those big paws and claws.

A shout.  A couple of slams of the door sent him on his way.  Slowly.  I’d startled him, that’s all.  But it was enough.

This is one of the joys—and disadvantages—of living near the woods:  lots of wildlife.  They’re a joy to watch, but best kept at a respectful distance.

*  *  *