Evidence of Spring

It's not just that there's no snow. Green is returning to the woods and marsh.

On a walk yesterday, I saw skunk cabbage a foot tall in the sunny places. Low shrubs had leaves the size of the proverbial mouse ear and some even larger (the rat's ear of Yore). And some grasses growing green again at the water's edge. An avian chorus was celebrating spring's return with song - song sparrows, grackles, blackbirds, chickadees - most of the usual suspects were finding their voices. Even the Canada geese and mallards were giving voice.

The Spring riot is, of course, more remarkable where we humans live. Forsythia is blooming in profusion while some showy trees are standouts in neighborhood yards and gardens.

And summer's coming. We were in coastal Virginia for the holiday and I can report full out-loud spring in progress with azaleas blooming everywhere and delicious warmth. At last!