Overnight Sensations

Suddenly it's spring. The skunk cabbage sprouted leaves and the swales are greening up. As the sun swings higher in the sky, the stream banks are coming to life with marsh marigolds. Bright yellow forsythia shouts with the first color, joined by the now-golden male goldfinches. Yesterday morning, I awoke to the returning phoebe's buzzy, "fee-BEE". And the maples and budding with rich crimson flowers. Time for me to get busy waking up the garden!

Signs of Spring

Last night, a barking fox yanked Callie out of her sleepy stupor. She stood by the window, peering outside, and pacing the floors, whining to be let out. The critters are out and about with this warm weather. The skunk cabbage spathes have pushed up through the stream-side muck, slowly opening up with the sun's heat. And the birds--the winter birds are telling us all--spring has sprung!
We may have one more run of sap and then maple sugaring season will be over--a short year with 90% Grade B syrup, but enough to hold us through until next winter.