Signs of Spring in Central Wisconsin

.

Of late I have seen many "signs of spring" posts out there in the blogosphere. Most of them are redolent with daffodils, tulips, and flowering trees.

With the first day of spring just days away, both by the calendar and the tilt of the Earth upon its axis, even those of us who reside on the frozen tundra are beginning to see signs that spring is coming.

I thought I'd share some of OUR signs with you.


We have begun to notice some patches of bare ground in our yards, which lets us know there truly IS grass under that snow somewhere - - - having not seen it since the first week in December, we had begun to wonder.


I found Waldo. I didn't even have to search - - - when the snow receded, THERE HE WAS!


I spied the tops of our shrubbery.

If you don't think this looks like spring progress, just look here for a comparison.


Most of the snow has melted off of our roofs.


Our street is dry and clear of all evidence of snow or ice.


I can now find a strip of lawn between the driveway and the snow.


The mailboxes are no longer playing hide-and-go-seek in the snowbanks.


The trees are beginning to THINK about budding.


All of the ice fishing villages have disappeared from the lakes, though SOME of the shanties still remain, unused and forgotten in the parking lot.


The ice on the lakes is beginning to melt - - - looking spongy and thin in places.

All of the approaches to the ice are muddy messes.


The mighty workin' Wisconsin River is ice free and rising.


And last but not least, parking lots are filled with rivulets - - -


Of melted snow running into the nearest storm drain.

Oh - - - but never fear - - - one day we too shall have signs of new growth, about the time it is all OLD HAT to the rest of you.

And just so you know I "ain't" exaggeratin' - - - I took all these pictures THIS WEEK.

:-)

.