The meadow in May is a lovely place.

Our own tiny wildlife refuge, the meadow below the farmstead has greatly changed from the cow pasture it once was. Several years ago, ponds replaced pasture in that corner of the farm, populated with birds, fish, frogs and, right now, lots of Canada geese. In May, grass around the ponds grows thick and lush.

Periodically we lop a path through the growth with the lawnmower to make it easier to walk through without tripping and tangling in the grasses.

Regular mowing also keeps our seasonal flock of honkers happy, since it encourages the grass to send up tender, tasty new shoots for them to graze. At least five nests of geese were visible this year, scattered around on the pond banks and islands. They were hatching at a steady pace the last several days and now flotillas of fluffy goslings paddle around between pairs of watchful parents.

While the hens were setting, those nest sites were carefully avoided on evening puppy-walks. It seemed the wisest approach, after Lily's initial meeting with a nesting goose.

The hen frantically fled the nest, honking furiously, while Lily bounced in, snatched an egg and took off, apparently figuring an egg was just another ball to carry around.

Luckily I was able to make a hasty egg-rescue and promptly restore the baby-to-be back to the safety of the grassy nest.

That nest was the first one to hatch, so apparently no harm was done by the unintended invasion.

A constant focal feature

of the meadow has always been the little stream that carries the waters of our underground springs on their way. It was startling to glance at the stream one evening a few weeks ago and spot a huge snapping turtle parked squarely in the shallow water, like a round bridge. We made another a hasty exit.

The potential of refereeing an encounter between an inquisitive pup and a snarly snapper had even less appeal than a run-in with an irate mother goose.

Along with the vivid green of the meadow and the fluffy yellow-brown goslings in the meadow are the lovely pastels of the fruit trees that have bloomed beautifully this spring.

Plum trees in soft pink bloomed first, followed by fluffy clouds of white pear-tree blossoms. As those faded, ornamental cherries opened bright pink, pompom-like flowers while
crabapples sported deep red buds.

None were any lovelier, though, than a 10-foot apple tree between the field road and the little meadow stream, absolutely covered with pinkish-tinged white blossoms. On every trip past the apple tree, I just pause for a few moments and marvel at its stunning beauty. No costly, artist-painted picture in the world can be any more beautiful than an apple tree in full, perfect bloom.

When the lower pond banks were still new, The Farmer planted several small lilac seedlings. Now the bushes tower over our heads and are covered with incredibly-fragrant blossoms. Several bloom in the classic lavender shade, one in pristine white clusters and one heavily-scented, deeper-purple variety. Other miscellaneous shrubs add seasonal color and summer-long nesting spots for the multitude of birds.

Always welcomed back to the meadow are the red-winged blackbirds that nest among the ponds' cattails and shrubs. The females stay hidden on their the nests, their feathering and nest shades blending together in somber brown tones, while the protective males flit around, calling out shrill warnings and flashing their bright-red wing epaulets if we come too near.

Robins, a variety of sparrows, catbirds, bluejays, cardinals, killdeer, mocking birds, a red-tailed hawk and generally at least a couple of turkey vultures can be spotted around the meadow almost any time.

A few male mallard ducks are also back lounging on ponds, suggesting that females are likely nesting nearby. One duck nesting spot they favor from year to year lies deep in under a huge multiflora rose that overhangs the far side of the large pond. All sorts of wildlife could be living under that oversized bush and no one would ever know. The combined overhang and the rose's fierce thorns offer safety to shy duck families, more vulnerable to the aggressive foxes than the larger, spunky geese.

The meadow is a pleasant and pretty place to walk, always with something interesting to see.

But, with fresh grass, nesting birds and fresh wildflowers, May is among the best.

Joyce Bupp is a Seven Valleys farmer. Her column appears Sundays.