Wednesday, February 21, 2007

thawing earth and melting snow

We're getting an early, teasing taste of spring here for the last few days in Minnesota, with daytime highs nearing 40 (does the thermometer go that high? I forgot!) in some areas. Snow is melting, ice slicks are becoming slicker with meltwater on the surface, and mud is forming where the ground is bare but still frozen underneath. It's really not pretty to look at, especially when the skies are gray, it's a sign that winter is losing its grip.

I had a whiff of a road killed skunk yesterday, evidence that the longer days and weather have critters moving around. Togo and the horses are even starting to shed their winter coats.

Togo's wild relatives are on the move as well. The night before last I was jolted out of my sleep by the wild laughter of coyotes. They were closer than I've ever heard them, perhaps not a hundred yards from the house.

The Hermit, Calvin and I have a bet on which will show up first: Canada geese, red winged blackbirds, or sandhill cranes. My money's on the geese.

1 comment:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I can't wait for the red winged blackbirds. It does look ratty outside, but the air sure does smell good! (well maybe not around the road kill!)