Spring is different where ever you may happen to be. If you are far south spring may not be very noticeable. The temperature doesn't change much. Leaves and grass are green all year. If you are where I live spring comes slowly over a long period of time. Warming is gradual with back slides to cold winter temperatures. We have to get well into spring before much plant activity takes place. Today, several plants right beside my house are showing green shoots. Some trees are in bud but it will be a long time before we see trees leafing out. The ice went out of the river last week but all the ponds and lakes are still covered with very solid ice.
Then there's the Arctic spring. I've been through five of those. The light is bright...very bright. But there's no warmth in it. In late April there is some melting snow but it is in May that the snow disappears and the huge rivers lose their ice. It's a funny thing that the Canada geese arrive the end of April and sit on the ice of lakes. It's 3 or 4 weeks before they can begin nesting.
Now for some people spring is the return of birds or just one species. For other people it may be the awakening of plants. I like to go out in the woods when the sap goes up and you have the invigorating odor of the trees coming to life. For some people it's when rabbits and weasels turn brown.
Tomorrow morning the sun rises at 6:49 AM. I like to see mornings come earlier and earlier. Then I like to see the evenings get longer.
So we have a whole lot of nice things happening for spring and then wham! Things suddenly turn to winter. Later on this week I have a three day forecast of snow.
No matter what I like spring. It's a general move to warmth.
So what is spring for you? Do you have a barely noticeable spring or a long period of moderation? What particular part of spring do you like best?
Now I must apologize as I posted this when I was only half finished the post.
Mar. 24 2016. A late spring storm.
Like so many other things, I guess spring is relative. I do feel blessed to have four real seasons, and to have spring arrive according to the calendar - the vernal equinox- and in beautiful form.
ReplyDelete4 distinct seasons gives us some variety.
DeleteI know the weather is colder where you are and I shouldn't complain, but I'm really aching for some sunshine.
ReplyDeleteWe do get lots of sunshine. We also tend to get some dull cloudy days but not much rain.
DeleteThe blur between winter and summer here. "Spring" doesn't seem to last long
ReplyDeleteYou have "pleasant " all year.
DeleteOur spring in Atlantic Canada is much like your, a gradual warming through late March, April and May. It's not uncommon to have snow in late April and even early May. In deep woods the snow does not all melt until sometime in June. I like having four distinct seasons; a person doesn't have a chance to get too tired of one season before there's another one right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteThe 4 seasons gives us lots of variety.
DeleteGeese are nesting here.I am glad to be a bit farther south, but haven't ruled out a possible snow yet.I tilled my vegetable garden yesterday
ReplyDeleteSome of our geese are also nesting. The great horned owls have hatched.
DeleteNothing more unpredictable than the weather. We have a saying here "April doet wat hij wil" (April does what he wants) free translated :)
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of Dutch people here and so I hear the language. they like to use the sayings in Dutch.
DeleteI like the days and nights getting longer and longer. And of course the blue skies instead of rain, although this year we have had so much more rain than normal. I'm quite ready for those blue spring skies. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think for you last year was very dry so you need lots of water to refill the earth.
DeleteOne thing I like is nights getting longer.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to correct you. "Days" are getting longer! As you know when I was in the Arctic we had 24 hour daylight! I lived it.
DeleteSpring here is gradual. I doubt we've seen the last snowfall before it's really done. Yesterday was warmer, but today the temperatures have dropped again.
ReplyDeleteWe have snow in the forecast for this week.
DeleteSpring is on its way here in Portland. The trees all have little emerald green buds and I'm sure leaves will be opening soon.
ReplyDeleteIT'S A GREAT AROMA WHEN THE LEAVES ARE BREAKING OUT.
DeleteTwo years ago I was training for a summer backpack trip, so I walked the woods near my home daily, from March til July. It was an amazing experience, because every day that spring was different. It went from near silence to a cacophony of natural sounds. It transitioned from dull gray to bright green in those few months. Along the way there were crocuses and buffalo beans, chorus and wood frogs, songbirds, drumming grouse, geese, swans and ducks, eagles and hawks. Every day something was different. That year I became immersed in spring and I will never forget that experience.
ReplyDeleteGreat description Phil. More of us should be doing the same.
DeleteSpring is Canada is quite noticeable! It is also my favourite time of year. What I love best about it is that it's a season of awakenings.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since we have seen the life that it's most refreshing.
DeleteMost days it still feels like winter here this year.
ReplyDeleteSome springs can be very nasty. You will catch up when the days get longer.
DeleteWe had an early spring this year, starting in February, so it seems like a long one. I don't thnk spring can ever be long enough, though. It's so wonderful ... And then it gets toooo hot!
ReplyDeleteI can sure tell what your favorite season of the year is.
DeleteHi Red, Our Spring is as slow as it can be. :-) A very rainy winter seems to be dragging on as long as it can. The trees and flowers are in bloom but we need some strong sunny days to really get into full swing. I will let you know when the warm, sunny days have returned. Have a great weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteI just hope we're done snowstorms!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs you know spring is negligible here. I don't even notice it in Hawaii. In Chicago it felt like spring and fall were about two weeks long. I loved spring. It's wasn't until we moved to the Midwest that I understood what spring fever truly meant.
ReplyDelete