Spring ... in various places

[Karen]

I know in some areas it is getting to be Spring, just wondering when you count it as truly spring where you are!

Do remind us your are, when you post ...

When I was a kid the first Robin was a sign of spring up here in Massachusetts, but the past couple years we have had robins show up surprisingly early so they are no longer a good predictor. I saw some 2 weeks ago - long before any worms are to appear!

Not spring yet here in the Boston Massachusetts area by a long shot ... I think I really count it as Spring when ... hmm, i dunno - but at least most of the snow and ice are gone? It is hard when I don't have crocus to rely on ...

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Our springs seem confused the last few years. Last year we had snow in May. The latest time of year we had ever had it.

I'm in SE Kansas. Yesterday, I noticed leaves from my tulips are coming up and my lilac bush has tons of leaf buds on it. Today it was 60 but tomorrow it is to be in the 30s with rain and snow. Sort of hard to tell when spring is really here. They usually say April I think.

Robins have been back for a couple of weeks already. As for me, I usually consider March, April, May the spring months.

[Karen]

A Robin, puffed up against the cold
Hurries past my window toward
The lone patch of exposed grass
While juncos and sparrow,
Sturdy little ones they are
Contentedly feast on seed
Thrown out onto the frozen snow

I want to tell it "Go back, silly bird,"
The worms are all napping, frozen solid
And will be for some time to come
"Go back South" I'd say,
But I don't speak "robin"
And it doesn't speak "human"
So my pity will have to suffice.

[Karen]

Oh, and I really don't think of it really being Spring usually until April, and sometimes we have Spring all the way into June, and sometimes summer temperatures hit in May .. the glory of unpredictable New England weather!

[Grace]

I've been told that a surer sign of Spring than a Robin, is a Red Winged Blackbird. Robins have been known to "winter-over" in some areas - but not the Blackbirds.

Spring for us this year, will come when we can see significant areas of grass. We haven't seen any since last year, and with 2-3 feet of snow to melt, I think it will be awhile.

[Casper]

Being in the south, we have robins and red-winged blackbirds year round. Right now there are no signs of spring, but I am eagerly awaiting when I wake up one morning and everything is suddenly green again!