Spring

The eagles are back. If you look closely, you may be able to see the eagle. I took this picture last Tuesday. There was still quite a bit of ice, but it melted quickly.

This was the water Saturday morning.

And this is the water today.

The ice looks officially out! A full month earlier than normal.

Hubs actually jumped in on Sunday after a jog. It was still pretty slushy. There were a few screams, but he insists it was refreshing. It sure was amusing!

The loons are back, too.

It is great to see them, but I'm really looking forward to hearing them. The haunting call of the loons is one of my most favorite sounds.

The squirrels are actively driving the dogs insane.

Mmmmm, Spring. Welcoming back the flora and fauna is such a treat.

Saturday we took Little Lady for her first real hike. She slept right through it in the Bjorn. Little Man is fast becoming a little John Muir. We hiked for two hours and he was happy as a clam to walk in the woods. The only thing he wasn't happy about was the ticks. They are out, too.

It was a warm, beautiful day and we enjoyed getting out into the woods for a nice hike. I didn't bring the camera, but it was lovely. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze to cool us on the hilly trail. The ground was covered in fragrant leaves, green shoots, and gooey mud. The birds were singing, the wood peckers were hammering the trees. The pussy willows looked like tiny silver bells adorning the branches. Everything is coming alive again.

Robert Byrne says that "Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." If that is true, Spring must be nature's way of making amends. This year, she is delivering.

We are cold again this week, with temperatures dipping below freezing at night. But winter has been all but banished up north and we are reveling in the opportunities to enjoy nature.

Happy Monday!