Another Shot at Spring

 Today has felt a lot more like early spring than the past several have. We might have reached 40 degrees in the sun, but at least there was sun, and we were above freezing. I went out with good intentions to spread some mulch around the forsythia we planted last fall, but I found out that the mulch pile is solidly frozen. So I found some peat moss in the garage that had been there for years, and some composted manure from last fall, and with a little mixing, I had enough to spread at the base of the shrub where the soil had receded during the winter. I hope that will protect the roots and give it a bit of a boost now we have some rain and warmer weather on the way. There is a lot more cleanup that will need to be done, but first the snow has to melt and the ground get settled and firmed. The newly-seeded spots on the back lawn had dried out some last week, but now it is pretty gooey again - where it isn't covered with snow.

I had a nice note yesterday from Liz Randall on Long Island. Liz sent some pictures of the flowers that are blooming in her gardens. There are snowdrops (left), daffies (right), and crocuses (below left). Liz estimates they are about a month ahead of us here in Vermont. Very pretty, and thanks, Liz!

A few days ago, Andy Rudin sent a picture of his daffodils in Phidelphia, which would be about the same, weatherwise, as Long Island, I'm guessing. (Below, right.) Thanks, Andy!

It's wonderful to see these things spring to life, even if only in photos. I know ours here will be coming along eventually. I noticed a couple of small sprouts that are probably iris just poking through the ground in my garden, but most of the daffodils on the bank below the house are still covered with snow. With the rain we expect tomorrow and Friday, things will probably begin to thaw out and perk up! I bet in St. Johnsbury, and maybe even Danville, there are signs of spring that haven't shown up here at the pond yet.

I'm hearing regular reports of bears out and about. There will be more sightings and evidence they've visited as people begin to return to their summer residences here. Most local home owners know that they need to keep their compost or garbage bags secured inside, otherwise the contents will likely be spread all over the place and the bears will keep returning to where they found an easy meal. But sometimes people who are new to the area aren't aware there are bears here, so if you notice something that may entice wildlife of any kind into the neighborhood, it would be a good idea to mention it to your neighbor before any damage is done. Bird feeders should be down by now, too. Bears have an excellent sense of smell and can find food miles away. The come out of hibernation really hungry, and females may have young to keep fed, so they are intent on finding anything available that's edible. A garbage pail is no match for these powerful beasts. Bears aren't the only scavengers that delight in an easy meal. Skunks and raccoons will raid your garbage pails, too. Skunks are notoriously curious and sometimes get into spaces they shouldn't and get trapped, so keep shed doors securely closed and don't leave unclean food containers around to tempt them.

Jamie mentioned to me this morning that he's hearing geese (and he thought probably ducks) on the Passumpsic River that runs past KATV's studio. I'm sure we'll be hearing them here at Joe's Pond very soon, too. There is quite a bit of open water in the narrows between the ponds, and  in West Danville, the first pond is opening up more each day. The big pond is still quite solidly frozen, but the narrows into the middle pond has a long stretch of open water. With warm weather and rain ahead, things will begin to open up quickly. Most of us will be happy to have a change in the weather, but night temperatures above freezing will mean the end of sugaring season. There will be some folks who may not be quite ready, like skiers, boarders and snowmobilers.  I think it has been a pretty good year for sugar makers, though, so they probably won't mind if things slow down. I'm sure all they all have lives after sugaring season.

I'm looking forward to hearing some peepers in my pond! THEN I'll know spring is here!