By afternoon the heat becomes almost oppressive. In the early morning there is fog due to temperature inversion. But a clear sky and strengthening sun of the Spring Equinox quickly burns off the fog. We have sometimes, in May, had unusual weather like this, extremely warm for the time of year. But that's May, not March. March is the quintessentially surprising month, when winter gales can blow in all-enveloping, long-lasting snowstorms, teasing us with hopes for April.

Because of the weather all the snow and ice that had gathered and established on the front lawn and in our backyard is suddenly gone. The ground has thawed, and in the gardens the ranunculus and lilies have begun to push through the soil, the sharp spears of their leafage anxious to begin the process of robust renewal.

We are still unable to venture into the ravine without cleats over our boots for purchase on the stubbornly remaining ice. Up on the flats nothing remains of the ice, however, and it smells and looks like spring. Yesterday, just as we were talking about when we might see the first harbingers of spring in the insect world, there appeared a strenuously flap-winged Mourning Cloak, just where we see them every spring; far earlier this year. Soon there will be far more of them, if the weather doesn't do a turn to resemble its more normal course.

For some odd reason, despite the heat, there were few squirrels in evidence, but a veritable mob of crows instead, circling high above, dozens of them orchestrating a group caw; not quite a murder of crows, but from their racket and dark, determined presence somewhat resembling one.

They were, without doubt, communicating with one another, those clever birds, and many of them followed us throughout the course of our circuitous route in the ravine; up hills, down into the valleys, depositing peanuts in the usual cache places as we proceeded.

Looking back, we could see the crows swooping down to retrieve the peanuts, then knocking the shells against the branches of trees to free the peanuts from their shells.