Spring myopic
From a morning walk in my tiny corner of the north country, signs of the new season–spring–just before Barb talked about summer-like temperatures.
Eastern red eft (immature stage of the newt).
There were lots of sounds, too–including snipe calls, which makes me think of the late John Green, a SLU biology professor who frequently brought students out my way to catch the swooping sound of snipe and the howling coyote at dusk.
The apple trees haven't started to flower, yet, but so many other shrubs--dogwood, shadberry, things-I've-never-figured-out-the-name-of...getting their spring look on.
Lichen and moss looking (and feeling) springy.
I expect to see Dutchmen’s Breeches (which in my neighborhood are called “Britches”) at this time of year,
Dutchmen's Britches, often grow on rocky, shaded hillsides.
but I was really surprised to see the trilliums budding out…I’d say that’s about two to three weeks ahead of normal flowering, which I associate with Mother’s Day.
Budding and about-to-flower trilliums...way earlier than usual.
Back at the farm, the sheep are definitively in spring mode, after their visit to the barber a week ago.
But all they’re thinking about right now, as they head out onto the winter pasture, is green grass–which the hens have already found in the spring pasture. Yes, the sheep will be on new grass very soon.
The garden is waking up, too. My hands are looking mighty country (really, this is one of the things that separates urban from rural in the spring–the condition of one’s fingernails).
Garlic coming up (left edge), rhubarb leafing out, horseradish and chives just behind the rhubarb, and in the meadow, the willow showing early spring green.
So, it’s spring. For real. Need more proof? How about a dog in water…
Leda in the ditch.
Your turn. As the new season takes hold, what’s happening where you are?
Nice photos.