Signs of Spring March 31st, 2015

The transition from winter to spring has been at a snail's pace this year. I don't think there are many of us that aren't glad to see the back of winter.

Signs of spring have been around for a while already, but there are still lots of firsts to come. Most of us have seen our first Robin. That happened more than a week ago for us. Red-Wings and hawks are back too, along with other early migrants.

Closer to home, we always await our resident chipmunks coming out of hibernation. We spotted the first one a week or so back. Today there were three... scampering about at the bird feeders. Welcome back guys. Good to see you.

One with cheeks full of sunflower seeds, one awaiting his turn. They often scrap with each other at the feeders. They're not good at sharing.

I was inside the house, shooting through a window so I didn't spook them. The guy on top looks like he was staring right at me. As the weeks go by, they get friendlier, often running under our legs or chairs as we enjoy a sit-down on the patio.

There are some pussy willows across the street at the start of my walking path. I check them early in spring. I shot these yesterday on my walk. They can't have opened very long ago.

 





A less obvious sign... new growth on patches of moss on the path.

At the risk of trying to hurry spring along, another first we always look forward to is our first glass of wine (or a beer or a G & T) on the patio. A few weeks away yet I expect, but we're sure looking forward to it.

- fini -