Signs of spring are still rather sparse at Roundtop today. The trees certainly show no sign of buds. Birds are singing with added enthusiasm. Even the cardinals, who started singing in February’s snow, sound more chipper today than before. And their singing is more sustained, rather than one lone voice amidst the snow.
For me, the most obvious sign of spring is open water. That is new and a certain sign of spring. To be sure, the nights still result in skim ice over puddles, in the chickens’ water and the nearby ponds. But that ice disappears before noon.This week it is still too soon after the snow melt for the grass to perk up. That is always the first new growth to appear, though sometimes it’s a race with the skunk cabbage. I haven’t heard spring peepers yet, either.
The landscape is still brown and muddy. I have not ventured deep into the woods yet, as I know the trail down into the valley well enough to know the mud is likely to be impassible. I will wait a while, though it is not too early to foray along the edges of the forest. That will have to be enough for the present.
Posts
2 comments:
Carolyn...
It seems to be a "late" spring here, at least weather wise. Brown rather than even a hint of new green. None of the usual first ephemerals are blooming, that I've seen, anyway. It's 30 degrees out now, and tonight is supposed to dip to 20. A few patches of snow from Monday remain, too. The geese are clamoring on the river, though, making quite a racket. So they're feeling the pull of the season. But most dooryard birds remain fairly subdued. Patience is needed...
Still frozen solid here. But this coming week we are supposed to have a couple of warm days.
Post a Comment