Early Signs of Spring

In spite of the bitterly cold temperatures we've had the past few days, the seasons roll optimistically on.  Most plants and animals respond to length of daylight rather than temperature, and the days are definitely much longer than 6 weeks ago!

This is my most obvious measurable mark of the longer days, the sun rising further and further east each day.  If you check my post of Dec. 18th (the closest clear day to the solstice), you'll see the sun was rising to the west of those two taller Ash trees very close to each other.  Now it's rising just to the east of my Butternut tree, and moving quickly further east each day.  I see it from the same chair in the living room where I always sit with my morning coffee and read the morning's blogs.

And this is the other end of the day - same picture as yesterday, but taken at 6 p.m.!  Six weeks ago it would have been dark at 4.30.  Now it's still light out until 6, and I can walk the dog later and later, which makes a convenient difference to my day.

But there are other signs as the plants respond to the lengthening daylight.  These are the buds on one of the Silver Maples right outside our house.  I have no idea why they aren't killed off when the temperature hits -31 like it did yesterday, but they possess some magic that keeps them not only alive, but ready for spring.

And I was sure I saw a touch of yellow in the big Willow trees down on the river flats in the valley.  They'll be a good deal brighter yellow in a few weeks.

Likewise a strong touch of red in the Red Osier Dogwood over along the edge of the wetland, in front of this dead elm.  All in all, spring is sure to come.  And I'm sure we not only have longer days, but more sunny days in the latter half of winter.  Enjoy it while you can.

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