March 2011: Signs of Spring

March came in like a lamb, and with it came some signs of spring; just enough to keep us hopeful that spring will indeed arrive on time this year!  

March 1st gave rise to the very first, and much anticipated, sign of spring:  Crocus!

... and also some daffodils and tulips starting to emerge!

On my birthday, March 16th, spring was becoming bloomin' evident on my block!

                                                           
Abundant Purple Crocus:

And yellow ones too!

A walk around the neighborhood on Saturday, March 19th uncovered many more signs of spring, that made me happy indeed! 

I looked hard to find a magnolia bud nearly ready to burst:

It was not so hard to find a stereotypical robin!

This saucy early daffodil was a welcome surprise:

There was new green growth
on some bushes in the park:

The local waterfowl were swimming in pairs
on the pond, including this odd couple!

Male Redwing Blackbirds were puffed up
and singing their hearts out to potential mates! 
Cong-a-leeee!

Pussy Willows reached for the blue sky!

Turtles were awake and sunning!

Then March 23d & 24th brought thunderstorms, hail and more snow to us!  All our joyful signs of spring were blanketed in the despicable white stuff:

Crocus covered in snow:

This poor cold dove was sitting
among snow-covered dogwood buds:

One more week in March to go!  Will spring ever show?? 

March 28th:  Well, the snow has melted, but temps remain unseasonably cold - with many mornings below freezing!  Let's hope that April will be better!

This dove is puffed up against the cold, but at least there is no snow on the branches!

*     *     *     *     *