Early Signs of Spring!

Well, it's still cold, so cold that all the streams are actually frozen over, which happens only rarely. But already there are numerous signs of spring.

Groundhog Day has come and gone, and groundhogs aren't the only ones who poke their nose out to see if spring is here yet. The porcupines have started to appear, grabbing a snack of bark and twigs high in a tree on a sunny day. And you see their tracks now and then, with its queer twisting gait down the trail.

The days are longer too, staying light out til 6 o'clock. For a dog walker trying to squeeze in a walk between work and dinner, that's a bonus.

The chickadees are starting to give their spring mating call now and then, said to sound like 'hambuuurg', going from high 'ham' to low 'buuurg' in a two-part whistle.

On sunny days you can feel the heat of the sun on one side of your body. And it's strong enough to be melting the snow that faces southwest. The bank of grass outside the gate is now mostly bare.

And I must have encountered 30 people on the trails yesterday! Families with little kids, teenagers building a fort, dog walkers and people just out enjoying the trails. Two girls were waving a dry bulrush seedhead, and trying to photograph the seeds as they blew away in the wind. Last week I saw two groups of little kids - day care age, walking or getting a ride on a toboggan out on the trails - 4 or 5 in one, and 8 in the other. My heart rejoices!