Countdown to Spring: The Final Walk of Winter

With the passage from winter solstice to vernal equinox a little over a day away, it seemed only fitting that I take my last walk of winter today.  I would take it tomorrow, but our forecast calls for snow and my enjoyment of walking in falling snow disappeared on 3/1.

The first thing I noticed was that the inch of snow I noted yesterday was happily gone.  The percentage of bare ground showing continues to increase with each above-freezing day.  What was at best 5-10% of ground showing two weeks ago is now 60-70%.  There is a little green growth showing among the brown, but not that much in the way of new green growth.  Mostly perennial grasses, both lawn and weed varieties, that hold their green throughout the year, but look a little tired right now, like they're just waking up.  There are things like crocuses, snowdrops, even daffodils which are pushing up slowly as well to remind us that more colorful days are coming. 

Another reason for my walk today was to check on the pussy willow along my regular wander route.  I was given permission by the owner to clip a few branches once the little fuzzy “flowers” show themselves.  While there were buds ready to pop, the pussy willow will likely not be in bloom until after spring arrives.  Perhaps next week, though, I’ll be able to bring my clippers and harvest a fuzzy bouquet.

The forsythia bushes I walked by are also getting ready to blossom, the buds larger than even a week ago.  Other trees are also showing signs of returning from their winter sleep.

As I walked past our millbrook, its meandering path now almost free of ice, I noticed a large bird land in a nearby tree.  Even without binoculars, I could tell it was a turkey vulture.  They don’t stay locally year-round and their return is like the swallows' return to Capistrano, just not as pretty and therefore, perhaps not as welcome by folks not aware of the important role they play as scavengers. 

The robin I mentioned seeing in a previous post has not been seen since.  I suspect he’s still around, perhaps looking elsewhere for meals and springtime housing.  However, I’m sure it won’t be long before I start to see the small flocks of them all over the place.

As I returned home, the sun’s warmth felt wonderful.  The last two days were incredibly windy and not walker-friendly.  But the calmer winds and blue skies of today were much more inviting and I even slowed my pace to savor them.  Bushes and trees  with leaves getting ready to show themselves, bird singing songs not heard in a while, all this and more  examples of the many cycles of renewal that spring has to offer those of us who are more than ready for them. 

This last walk of winter, with its reminders of better days to come, was pure joy, and I look forward to tomorrow, even if it snows.

1 day until spring.

Countdown to Spring: Bare Ground!

Between the above-freezing temperatures of the past week and the rain yesterday, places where snow wasn't heaped up by human hands or vehicles is down to 2-3", and in some places where the sun exposure has been all day, there are places which are – dare I say it without the sky bears hearing? – down to bare ground in ever expanding circles.  I doubt that all of it will be gone before this coming Friday, but a significant bit more will have disappeared by then.

And so, on the Ides of March, we are down to the final five days (actually 4 days and 2.5 hours as I type this - check for the most recent countdown time here) before this winter is history.  Can't wait.

Only 5 days until spring.

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Countdown to Spring: Ah, Rain

Shortly after sunrise, there was a pitter-patter on my roof.  It wasn't that flock of starlings mentioned in an earlier entry coming in to land and look for breakfast. It definitely wasn't snow or sleet, either.  It wasn't even the freezing rain they had forecast for the morning hours in my area.  It was just plain old rain.  You know, water that falls from the sky that isn't frozen?  That wonderful stuff.  The stuff that helps make the frozen stuff disappear.

Yeah, I know, it has its drawbacks in showing up this time of year, flooding from snowmelt and blocked waterways being one of the problems.  Still, I welcome it.
For the sight and sound
of raining coming down
means the signs of winter
will more quickly leave town

Only 6 more days until spring

Countdown to Spring: A Desperate Need for Green

While the temperatures have remaining above freezing and the snow has been melting along nicely, the progress toward bare ground has been, well, glacial. Places which have been plowed, shoveled or sanded are happily down to earth-toned surfaces.  But in my area, there is at least another 6-8" of snowmelt which must occur before life underneath it gets full benefit of sunlight again, more where its been heaped up to clear roads and pathways.

A few weeks back, I shoveled out the area where my crocuses are and they appreciated the effort.  The leaves are up about an 2" since I cleared snow away enough for the sun to do the rest.  I probably won't see the flowers for another 1-2 weeks, but it's still earlier than it would have been previously, since that's where I tossed snow to dig out my car and driveway.

But it was not enough.  I have snowdrops in my yard which were still covered by snow and I wanted them to have the same opportunity that the crocuses did.   Hard to landmark things when it's all uniformly white and I couldn't quite remember where they were, anyway. So, I cleared a circle 15 feet in diameter in the area that I vaguely remember them being in last year.  As with the crocus patch, I cleared to the point where the sun and warm air could finish the job easily.

Today, there is a patch of brown and green where I shoveled, some of the green being snowdrop leaves, so mission accomplished.  The snow was crusty and heavy and my muscles and joints didn't and still don't appreciate this job that wasn't actually necessary.

But, my psyche does.  I'm looking forward to flowers in bloom, likely right around the first day of spring, in both spots as a result of my efforts.  It would have been only somewhat longer had I allowed natural melting to occur.  But, I needed some things that don't remind me of this dreary winter season.  The extra ibuprofen required was worth it.

Only 8 more days until spring.