Spring has hatched. Tulips are poking their colorful heads out of the ground, trees are covered in flowering buds, and birds are scouting for locations to build a nest.

Last spring, one of our two birdhouses was “rented” for the first time when a pair of Chickadees moved in. Weeks passed as we watched mama and papa fly back and forth, carrying twigs and moss to their new home. It was very exciting when we finally started to hear the peeps of baby chicks until, one day, there they were: the three amigos.

Just this past weekend, we decided it was time for a bit of birdie spring cleaning, so we opened up the nesting box, to clear out last year’s “bedding” and make way for a new tenants.

In one box (where there were never any chicks), we found the beginnings of a nest.

But in the box where the baby chicks were hatched, we found a glorious nest filled with an impressive collection of twigs, leaves, moss, and…

…even a tiny Chickadee feather.

Here’s to spring 2013. May it bring color to our eyes, music to our ears and laughter to our hearts.