How do you know Spring is just around the corner, or here already?

[Tinhack]

It's been chilly off and on here but for the most part, 50-60s at night and 70-80s during the day. The Ash trees have been leafing out for the last two weeks but they're always early. Mesquite trees are still "asleep" though. My front and side fields are showing ground level growth (wildflowers) and the yard is full of little white flowers. I'm hoping for more Bluebonnets this year, but it's been too dry, I think. The bees are starting to stir but I believe they're the Killer Bees I had last year. They're fast and aggressive--Not the lumbering honeybees we usually have. No sign of wasps except behind the bark of a dead Eucalyptus tree I cut down a few weeks ago. Glad it was cold, or they would have got me good. The 76th Annual Poteet Strawberry Festival is still about 6-weeks out. Mine will be about two weeks early it's looking like. Love fresh Strawberrys in the morning.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Daffodils, Forsythia and Bradford Pear are all in full bloom already. Other things just starting to barely leaf out. It's coming!

 

[ArlyA]

No Daffodils out here on the south shore of da BIG lake.

 

[BnRidge]

Here it was always "it's going to be an early spring, the dumpy birds are back".
Flocks of noisy starlings, in the trees and on the old brick silo.


For the last several years there is a pair of cranes that fly in from the sw every morning, forage on rye and corn all day, then fly out sw at sunset. They're back as of a couple days ago.

A week ago I heard across the marsh what sounded like a group of kids talking. Kept looking for those kids. Then the 747 went overhead at treetop level. Snow geese here aren't very common, but when they go through on their migration, do they ever make an unfamiliar racket.

Racoons mate in February. They're out running around everywhere. Horned owls also start nesting soon, even with snow on the ground. Not yet, but soon. Funny looking way up and seeing eyes and ears looking out over their nest. Then there will be two sets, with momma nearby, and her very distinctive unowl-like call.

 

[JJT]

When ice goes off the pond, spring is finally here. We're about 6 weeks from that happening, unless things warm up dramatically.

The forecast today is winter storm warning, 5"-10" of heavy wet snow is expected.

 

[JasperFrank]

When the buzzards return, its Spring. Usually late March. They can sense seasonal changes with uncanny accuracy.

 

[scootr]

Canadian Geese honking overhead at daybreak this AM. They are coming back out of Mexico today signaling spring on this 32º morning.

 

[Straightgrain3016]

When the govt. declares a drought emergency...//ss

 

[2manyrocks]

When the bluebirds return and start building nests.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The birds!