Melissa Kleyn took this photo of a robin and a cardinal in the front yard at the Post, on Tuesday, April 3, just hours before we were hit with an overnight snowstorm.

The signs are there that spring is right around the corner. The extended forecast shows temperatures reaching the 50s by the end of next week. We will believe it when we see it!

In loving memory of my beloved mom who passed away 19 years ago on June 18, 1998. On that night, God took you from my arms to His. Oh, how I miss you. What a strong, wonderful woman you were!

I love you, Mom.

Your daughter,

Robin

It’s now officially Spring, which means we see more robins. Jackie Gage, of the City of Cedar Springs sent us this photo of a robin visiting outside her window.

“Recently, I had a robin visit that looked old and grumpy,” wrote Jackie. “His back was a light gray and the orange breast was light also compared to the younger ones. He even had feathers sticking out of his chest, which reminded me of an old man’s hairy chest. He was huge, almost the size of a mourning dove. I named him Max, after the character of Walter Matthau on Grumpy Old Men. He came right up to my slider and had a staring match, eyeball to eyeball with my cat, Benny. Max looked grumpy about something and I tried to take a pic but he flew away each time he saw me. My granddaughter, Brenda Reed, 18  came to visit me last week and I told her about Max. Right after that he came again and she got some pretty good pictures!”

Thank you, Jackie, for sending us your photos of Max the robin!

Do you have a wildlife, Post Travels, Catch of the week, or other photo you’d like to send us? Email it to news@cedarspringspost.com. Include some information about the photo and your contact info. We will publish as space allows. Publication is not guaranteed.

January 21, 1932 – June 18, 1998

In loving memory of my mom, who passed away 16 years ago.

Even though it’s been 16 years, I still find myself reaching for the phone to call you. I want to share everything that’s going on – what the kids are doing, how the grandkids are doing, the sports games, the birthday parties. At every event, I feel the emptiness of not having you there – it does’t seem the same. I hear someone say Grandma, and I look around for you – instead they’re talking to me! The years go by, as they always will, and the memories and treasured moments we shared seem even stronger than ever. I love and miss you a lot, Mom.

Your loving daughter,

Robin

In loving memory of my dad, who passed away eight years ago on December 18, 2005.

Never was there a man loved as much as this man;

Never was there a better dad than this dad;

Never was there a more appreciative daughter than this one!

I love and miss you so much, my Papa Smurf!

Your loving daughter,

Robin

Photo by Ron Parker.

We have been getting reports of robin sightings this week. Does that mean spring is around the corner?

This picture was taken on the lawn of Martin Haack on Shaner Ave. just north of 15 Mile Rd. “Marty wanted some pictures of this big guy to prove that Spring is on the way!” said photographer Ron Parker.

Ranger Steve Mueller told the Post last year that some robins actually never leave during the winter, but live in area swamplands over the winter. We asked him this week if we can tell which ones stay and which ones leave. He said, no, but one can tell when they are beginning to move. “People start seeing them in places they have not been seeing them,” he explained. He noted that the ones here in the winter probably are from further north, and the ones from here shift to the south.

These birds didn’t let a little wind and snow come between them and their afternoon meal Monday.

Mary Lou Fuller, of Solon Township, sent us this photo of two robins—yes, you read it right—eating berries from her mock cranberry tree Monday afternoon. “Maybe spring is just around the corner!” she said.

Diane Noorthoek Butler sent us this photo of a beautiful cardinal at her feeder in Sand Lake.

Remember that now is the time to help feed the birds, during these cold winter months.

Check out what types of birds were seen in the area on January 1, during our annual Christmas Bird Count.