Slowly spring

Apple orchard, E. Mt. Airy Rd., Monaghan Twp. York County, PA

No spring greenery is yet in evidence on Roundtop Mountain or even 500 feet or so below the mountain in the neighboring apple orchards. The temperatures are spring-like for the moment. The day has that feeling of balminess that often comes the day before a storm.

Even after tonight’s rain the temperatures will be warmer than average, if still seasonal. . Spring peepers are peeping now in the wetter, low areas. New spring greenery can’t be far behind. The wheel of the year is turning, but it turns slowly, a little at a time. Yesterday the killdeer appear, today the spring peepers, tomorrow another surprise for anyone who cares to look.

Maybe the first coltsfoot will bloom; perhaps nothing more than some small, nondescript green shoot will break through the ground. Perhaps the blue-gray gnatcatchers will arrive. Or maybe the snow geese will fly over the mountain, just ahead of the rain.