Spring is filled with firsts: the first bluebird, first crocus, and first barbeque. Spring signals a time of growth, life, color and warmth after winter. Signs of spring are occurring a lot earlier than last year, when we were still buried in snow. The following are my top ten signs that spring is here.

    10. Snow melt. Compared to the massive amount of snow last year, valley snow was sparse this year. A few places back in the woods are still hanging on to small patches of ice. Watching the snowline recede up the mountains initiates the planning of summer excursions to alpine lakes and mountain peaks.

    9. Insects. Insects tend to lie low during winter in various stages (adults, eggs, larvae, pupae) and typically emerge when the temperatures warm above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I usually find my first ladybug when cleaning the iris beds.

    8. Turtles and frogs. Seeing turtles basking in the sun indicates there is warmth to the sunshine. Warm temperatures mean cold-blooded frogs can leave their winter hiding spots. At least a dozen turtles were basking in the sun last week at Boundary Creek WMA, along with one lone frog croaking.

    7. Songbirds returning. Robins have been around for over a month, but more songbirds will keep returning. Bluebirds are making their appearance, while red-winged blackbirds are singing up a storm at the refuge. 

    6. Weather. Spring showers and thunderstorms signal changing weather patterns. Spring weather changes quickly with rain squalls one minute and sunshine the next. Thunderstorms prompt memories of sweltering summer days with cumulonimbus clouds building until they release their furry in afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures start to increase and above freezing temperatures are more frequent in the morning.

    5. Spring flowers. The first emerging leaves of tulips, crocuses, iris, and daffodils bring visions of colorful gardens. I eagerly await the sighting of the first crocus, daffodil, and tulip, which usually seems to be in town on the North Side.

    4. Scents of spring. On the warm, early spring mornings, I love being able to walk outside and inhale a breath of fresh springtime air. The smell is hard to describe, but it is distinctive. Equally exciting is the fresh smell of earth after a spring rain shower.

    3. Color Green. After a winter of white, brown, and varying shades of dull green, the bright green of new growth is welcoming. Lawns become green again and tree buds start swelling, bringing anticipation of green leaves. Larch will no longer look dead and will be a vibrant green as the needles emerge.

    2. Length of day. The days have been getting longer since the end of December, but spring is when it seems the most noticeable. The spring equinox, March 20, is when the sun shines directly down on the equator, making the length of day nearly equal everywhere on earth. However, due to differences in latitude, our night and day will be equal on March 17 when the sunrises at 6:54 a.m. and sets at 6:54 p.m.

    1. Waking up to birds singing. Being able to sleep under an open window and wake up to a chorus of birds singing and sunlight beaming in is the perfect way to start a spring day.