The Beauty of Spring

[Sue]

Spring is starting slow in Wisconsin this year. Temperatures linger in the 40s, and dipping below freezing at night. Skies are predominantly grey, with intermittent, random flurries and sprinkles.

And yet, every morning on my way to work I see the pairs of Sand Hill Cranes that have come back to their nesting grounds. They gracefully move along the edges of the marshland and sometimes [too] close to the edge of the highway. Further down the road, geese huddle in the muddy and yet-unplowed corn fields, searching hopefully among the broken and scattered corn stalks for any seeds that might have survived the winter snow.

This morning, I saw a beaver pause among the brush near a pond in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. He watched me as I slowed and then stopped the car, so I could watch HIM. He took his time, but eventually he slipped quietly beneath the water, presumedly to return to his task elsewhere.

The forest remains grey and brown, allowing glimpses into the deep ravines that are typically forested-over during riding season.

I love this time of year.

How is it where you live?

[KGT1200]

Spring is starting slow in Wisconsin this year. Temperatures linger in the 40s, and dipping below freezing at night. Skies are predominantly grey, with intermittent, random flurries and sprinkles.

And yet, every morning on my way to work I see the pairs of Sand Hill Cranes that have come back to their nesting grounds. They gracefully move along the edges of the marshland and sometimes [too] close to the edge of the highway. Further down the road, geese huddle in the muddy and yet-unplowed corn fields, searching hopefully among the broken and scattered corn stalks for any seeds that might have survived the winter snow.

This morning, I saw a beaver pause among the brush near a pond in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. He watched me as I slowed and then stopped the car, so I could watch HIM. He took his time, but eventually he slipped quietly beneath the water, presumedly to return to his task elsewhere.

The forest remains grey and brown, allowing glimpses into the deep ravines that are typically forested-over during riding season.

I love this time of year.

How is it where you live?

Waiting, waiiting for the swallows to return
to build thier little muddy nests on the barn walls.
Right now the sparrows occupy their nests,
eggs hatched and chicklets will be raised and gone
by swallow time of the year.


Spring slides across the land
awakining broken and lifeless forms
setting loose a flurry of activity
by the voles who occupy
part of our yard.
Such black dirt they drag up,
now warming in the sun!

The willow bushes by the little creek
all stand in united harmony
red stems reaching for the sun
the little creek becomes
a little river for awhile..


The old oak's green twigs
dripping sap all over my car
the snow hides in corners
the mud begins and retreats
all in the same day.

[SIBUD]

Must be spring. 70 tomorrow and then a chance of snow on Monday for opening day.

I got a call today at noon that some friends would be in Clarksville, TN and did I want to join them for an early supper? Sure. Rode there 225 clicks, had great brisket then rode another 225 clicks home. Too bad none will count for the mileage contest.:laugh

[Rapid_Roy]

Clicks?

Is that from cards on your spokes?
:stick
:ha

(nevermind, I just Googled it. 139 miles maybe. I don't believe the internet... mostly)

[SIBUD]

Clicks?

Is that from cards on your spokes?
:stick
:ha

(nevermind, I just Googled it. 139 miles maybe. I don't believe the internet... mostly)

Yes, cards in the spokes. Every rotation of the wheel produces 3 clicks. Therefore I only rode 75 rotations of the wheel from home. Not far really. :laugh

OTOH My old 97 RT has a real noisy speedometer. Every time a mile passes, it clicks when the next digit rolls round. So I just kind of ride along and count them in my head to know how far I have gone.

Sadly, my GPS doesn't make that sound so I actually have to look at it to see the distance traveled.

In fact, it doesn't even beep when you get over a ton. :dance

Going riding again today before another week of bad weather comes to the midwurst. Snow Monday night???????? :scratch

[wezul]

A couple weeks ago I heard that chortling sound and looked up and sure enough, there were chevrons of those cranes heading north, probably going to stop at Horicon first, I dunno.
I said to myself, Spring is here!

Roy ~ If you had a newer bike with shiny spokes, you could use a long balloon and tie it to one of the front forks vertically, wrap it inside the fork as you take off and Vrooooooooom! (Oh wait, that was from Kenner!)
Waaaaaaaaay better than playing cards.

/End of hijack

Sue ~ the grape hyacinth is up about 2 inches, signs of life from the lilacs.

[john1691]

Just got done mowing the lawn for the first time of the season. Would have rather been riding, but with winds at 25-35 and higher gusts, I'll wait for tomorrow as the winds are to die down over night to 10-15, and temps around 65. Had a cute little wren looking around the inside of my garage for nest space or who knows what when I put the mower away. Guess I need to keep the garage door closed this time of year.

[BigSkyRider]

I shot this photo this morning, we've had over a foot of snow since Thursday.....next week should be warmer.
Lawnmowers! I only use mine in June, July and August the rest of the time it's in hibernation.

Cheers!:whistle

[tommcgee]

spring has sprung

the grass is rizz

I wonder where the flowers izz

[Rapid_Roy]

Spring is starting slow in Wisconsin this year. Temperatures linger in the 40s, and dipping below freezing at night. Skies are predominantly grey, with intermittent, random flurries and sprinkles.

And yet, every morning on my way to work I see the pairs of Sand Hill Cranes that have come back to their nesting grounds. They gracefully move along the edges of the marshland and sometimes [too] close to the edge of the highway. Further down the road, geese huddle in the muddy and yet-unplowed corn fields, searching hopefully among the broken and scattered corn stalks for any seeds that might have survived the winter snow.

This morning, I saw a beaver pause among the brush near a pond in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. He watched me as I slowed and then stopped the car, so I could watch HIM. He took his time, but eventually he slipped quietly beneath the water, presumedly to return to his task elsewhere.

The forest remains grey and brown, allowing glimpses into the deep ravines that are typically forested-over during riding season.

I love this time of year.

How is it where you live?

Pretty much the same here Sue. :ha
:wave

[Kev95GS]

A picture can be much more eloquent than me.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/23/22/1514144210/n1514144210_30263240_251650.jpg

Pull Tight Hill Rd, Williamson County, TN

:thumb

Kevin

[nhbmw]

spring has sprung

the grass is rizz

I wonder where the flowers izz

Post deleted -- I drifted off-topic. Apologies.