Nature in Transition?

<p>I'm anxious for the actual arrival of spring, in SE Wisconsin. Walking along the edge of a quarry lake recently I came across this snow melt scene, and the light seemed good for a photo. I'd be interested in seeing the transitions going on in your part of the world. -Hope it's okay to start a thread this way, though not being a moderator. I'm new to this forum. Thanks.</p><div></div>

<p>Howard, you don't need to be a mod to start a thread. I think many people share your desire for Spring colors and temperatures to dominate the landscape. I was surprised to see so little snow in your MiN post. I envisioned your part of the country to still be quite snowy and the lake to be icy. Goes to show how wrong one can be. We were out yesterday afternoon taking a pleasant, but muddy walk in the woods. In our area of eastern PA buds are swelling on trees, spring ephemerals are up, but not yet blooming, catkins are nicely swollen, and thistle is as sharp and prickly as ever. Blue sky and 59 degrees was quite nice. My image is a young Beech tree in transition from winter leaves still hanging on, but with swelling buds and the promise of renewal.</p><div></div>

<p>I always feel my spirits lift a little when I see spring arriving, Here in the UK the leaves on the trees are unfolding from their buds and the spring flowers make a splash of colour.</p><div></div>

<p>Remnant of ice storm in Acadia National Park shot today. Only a very small patch of Pitch Pines was coated with ice on the eastern side of the trees only. This particular piece was dangling like an ornament.</p><div></div>

<p>Was visiting my relatives in Belgium and France last week, and found this little stowaway hibernating on the floor of a storage room in my brother's house. It definitely wasn't going to find its way out again when spring really gets going there, so I took it outside and let it sit in the morning sun in hope that it would open its wings for a bit. After it duly obliged I deposited it into the bike shed (no treacherous glass windows there) where it hopefully found a good spot to hang out and get out at the end of the season's transition.</p><div></div>

<p>the ice has melted and the snow is gone thanks to a few 60+ days here......this guy was pretty ragged looking after a long winter and was probably more hungry than afraid of being out in the daylight</p><div></div>

<p>Nature photography is the favorite photography subject. But it is very challenging task. For this tripod need very handy during zoom in or out. Such as for flowers. I really appreciate your picture.</p>

<p>Brant Geese dropping in on Wigeon ducks on their way north.<br>

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<p>Spring has been slow in making itself known in upstate NY especially after last Sunday's 11 in. snowfall but after a few days in the 50's the snow has pretty much melted and neighborhood ponds are opening up.</p><div></div>

<p>Here's the stages of the daffodils and tulips so far - note the yellow tips on the daffodils from being covered with snow</p><div></div>

<p>By the way, thanks for starting these postings - it's interesting to see the advance of spring after such a hard winter!<br /> Hope you enjoy your day,<br /> Bob</p>

<p>Harbinger of Spring (<em>Erigenia bulbosa</em>) is the first flower that blooms in Western PA, other than skunk cabbage. I usually start seeing them in mid-March, but thanks to the cold they were about 2 weeks late this year.</p><div></div>

<p>First crocus bloomed today with 60' temps and sunshine. The tree frogs were singing this afternoon and a couple of peepers are squeeking out a little as the ice just cleared yesterday on their pond.</p><div></div>