The last few days we've had temperatures soar into the double digits; low double digits but a world of difference from hovering on freezing, and we're grateful. All the more so when those days are accompanied by sun, and even rain, since it all helps our mounds and mountains of snow gradually melt. Gradually is the operative word here; there is so much snow if it melted swiftly we would be facing the risk of flooding.

As it is we've been warned by Environment Canada that the next few days we can expect quite a lot of rain, enough rain to guarantee floods will most certainly be an occurrence in some spring flood-prone areas of the province and this city. For the meanwhile, we're incredulous as it is at the pace of snow-melt.

The creek in our ravine is rushing madly with muddy water, and in places loudly exclaiming waterfalls have developed as the run-off makes its way over fallen trees and branches that have established themselves along the creek runway. Partly due to the hard work of the beavers that had been very much in evidence a few years back, but which were trapped and taken elsewhere to munch on poplars.

This morning we woke to a dark, dismal day of rain, and it was clear it had rained copiously overnight. Despite which, there was the exquisite song of a cardinal, and another of a song sparrow to sweeten the day. We dressed for rain when we ventured into the ravine, but despite the lowering grey clouds, none more transpired throughout our walk. In the ravine, crows are mobbing, the usual spring-time activity.

There are now areas of the forest floor that have managed to shed their snowpack, and it's amazing to seen the green underneath, with ferns and wild strawberries ready to refresh toward spring. Amazingly, we saw some sun come out briefly, before the clouds gathered once again to blot it from view.