Spring has gone into full robust stride in our neighbourhood ravine. The forest canopy has almost reached its full strength. A mere week ago we could still view through the understory but now that too has burst into life with bracken pushing up through the damp soil enriched by generations of fall detritus. Everywhere we look, the formerly timid-appearing green veil has become a green waterfall of new life.

The lowly dandelions are in their full blush of springtime glory, soon to become fluffy white ghosts of themselves. While they're in bloom the far less numerous, infinitely more shy coltsfoot pop up here and there, appearing like dandelions at a cursory glance, but definitely a flower distinguished by its own subtle characteristics.

The apple trees are ablaze with tender white-pink blossoms, certain to produce an abundance of mostly sour, small apples in the fall, but beautiful to behold in either season.

The Ontario black cherry trees are also in bloom with their delicate spray of white blooms.

Jack-in-the-Pulpits are more generously sprinkled within certain areas of the ravine than we can ever recall before, surprising us with their plentiful presence. Ferns have appeared everywhere, fresh and green and appealingly graceful.

Strawberry is everywhere ensconced and prettily blooming. The thimbleberry bushes are becoming robust and will soon send out their large pink blooms, and the emerging panicles of dogwood promise a plentiful show before long.

And violets, they're everywhere in sight, from tiny floral heads to more robust presentations.

Each day we wander the trails in the ravine presents a new surprise. We're awaiting the rare appearance of blue-eyed grass, knowing precisely where we've seen its ephemeral and too-short life appearing in the past, but not yet. The fresh shiny foliage of lilies-of-the-valley have not yet produced those tiny dangling flower-bells.

The most famous of Ontario's spring wildflowers and one that the province has taken for its symbol, is still in flower, albeit here in our clay-and-soil landscape, bright red, not the more traditional white.

We take our ravine adventures and the surprises contained therein day by day.