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Friday 11 March 2016

Signs of Spring

It is happening much earlier than usual. Spring is usually late in eastern Canada, long after the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator, bringing more light and heat to the northern hemisphere. In our part of the world, spring is a slow starter.


                                                                                               First Day of Spring 2015

This year is different. Until Monday this week there was slob ice in the harbour, a Newfoundland term for slushy or broken ice, floating as a mass in the bay.



On Tuesday, with the change in wind direction, the ice was gone. 



Last week there was a V of geese in the sky which is also unusual for this early in March. The streams and brooks are running and the ground is thawing; the snow is almost gone.


This is new territory for us. What does this mean? Will the grass turn green earlier? Will the trees begin to unfurl their leaves before the first week of June like they usually do? Will the earth be warm enough for planting earlier this year? Will there be frost as late as mid June as is often the case?



Meanwhile, we are enjoying the sights and sounds of spring now, the luxury of days without snow in early March. Maybe the barbecue will find its place on the patio early this year too.

For us, that will be a sure sign of spring!

22 comments:

Maya said...

It feels like beautiful waking up. Your photo take a lot of feelings.

Anvilcloud said...

Our snow is receding rapidly, but we still have big piles where it was accumulated during clearing of streets and driveways.

ADRIAN said...

It looks good and congratulations on the video.
I should keep things simple but it is the software that I enjoy.

ann @ studiohyde said...

We're experiencing the signs of Spring early here too. We don't get the snow like you do during Winter though, well not down in the South West corner of the UK anyhows.

DJan said...

That is a real difference all right. Spring is early here but it's not that unusual. For your part of the world, it seems like climate change is the culprit. Time will tell. At any rate, it's very lovely. :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

It's starting to feel very spring-like here in Alberta too. Unbelievable! But March came in like a lamb, so who knows what the end of the month could hold for us?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful boardwalk. Must be because the ground is soggy? We have seen walkways like that around here near the Potomac where there are wetlands.

Shammickite said...

No snow at all here, and above temps forecast for the whole of next week.... unusual for March. I love Spring, but I find it all a bit worrying. Is this El Nino, or something more?

Marie Smith said...

It is a beautiful awakening!

Marie Smith said...

It will soon be gone, let's hope.

Marie Smith said...

You'll master it all eventually, Adrian.

Marie Smith said...

My ancestors are from that area. They must have gotten quite the shock when they arrived on this side of the Atlantic, Ann.

Marie Smith said...

El Nino is affecting our weather this year. Who knows what next year will bring, Jan? I just try to enjoy each day and notice the little things along the way.

Marie Smith said...

We were with the lamb too early this month. In Newfoundland we always talk about Sheila's Brush around March 17 as well. However the forecast for the coming week is good.

Marie Smith said...

There are places on the island where boardwalk is over marshland. That is not the case in this are though.

Marie Smith said...

It is El Nino here I think, Shammi. Who knows what is in store?

Ginnie said...

I'll bet that the "real" Spring in your area is gorgeous. I think all of us, no matter where we live, are experiencing very odd weather for this time of year.

Angela said...

We are having all signs that Spring will come early for us here in North Dakota too. Snow is mostly melted and the geese are crossing the sky. We are new to this area and the locals are telling us that it has been a great Winter and that it looks like Spring now. Wishing you a great weekend!!

Tomoko said...

We had just powder snow a couple of days this winter. It is so beautiful but quickly goes away.
Spring is arriving to your place. So Good! Hope you will enjoy barbecues soon!

Marie Smith said...

It is a world-wide phenomenon. Spring will be wonderful.

Marie Smith said...

I wonder if your winters are usually like Manitoba's in Canada. If they are, getting a break from the usual winter was great for you this year.

Marie Smith said...

If this weather continues, the BBQ will be out very soon.