Another year has come and gone. The arrival of the crane is, without question, one of my most favorite events throughout the year.

Of course I can tell you the symbolism this has for many of us up north- it’s a new beginning, it’s movement, it’s a hope, a relief. It’s food for some, and sport for others.

But I also want to relish in the majesty that these beautiful animals are! They mate for life and they can live for 20 years! I always find this trait in animals to be endearing and this makes me feel a closer to them.

Since we live surrounded by wetlands, the cranes are often within our view, if not on our property. This year I am so much more excited for crane activity having a fenced yard. This means our dogs will not be able to roam as freely and disturb any cranes that are in the muskeg across the road. I’m hoping to see a pair settle in there and start their little family.

This is a huge marker for spring in our family. It’s only been a few days since we’ve heard them flying overhead. In the last two days we have seen a couple big flocks flying around trying to decide where to stop and make their family.

It’s been weeks now since we have had all the seedlings inside. We have a WWOOFer here next week for one month that we are preparing for. Uncle is back from the Philippines and is preparing to leave here for another summer of work. I suppose the growing season has begun, but it just didn’t feel like it, until the arrival of the cranes. Their honking throughout the day makes us all stop what we are doing, whether we are playing outside on the trampoline, or baking inside….in our family, if you hear the crane call, you step outside and watch the sky.