The Native American inhabitants in this area knew to plant their corn when the "oak leaves are the size of a squirrel's ear." That happened about ten days ago in this part of Eastern Massachusetts. It's the same every year: one day you can practically count the slender buds on the exposed branches, and the next day you can hear the sounds of caterpillar feces raining down from the canopy.

The troops gather for the assault

This ruby-throated hummingbird (females don't have the ruby-red throat) found my hummingbird feeder this year.

It was good timing on my part, as I made a point to try to "capture" her attention in the early, colder days of spring, when these tiny and surprisingly hardy  birds are more likely to search out  new sources of nectar.  It's not too late, though. Run down to your favorite super-store or local hardware store and get your feeder and nectar (sugar water).

The warm and invigorating rays of the spring sun have a tendency to "capture" the cats in its warmth

• Just a Glimpse, but the hummingbirds are here (dramafarmer.com)
• The Hummer Chronicles (dramafarmer.com)