We hardly thought we'd be able to get out into the ravine for a walk today, given the heavily overcast skies and the pelting rain. But the rain stopped and out we went, grateful for the opportunity. Yesterday there was no one but ourselves in the ravine, and today again we were the only ones out. The reason is clear enough; without investing in the assurance and safety of a pair of cleats to pull over boots, it's foolhardy to venture out where the trails are sheer ice now.

Rain is melting the snowpack and doing the same with the ice, but there's layers of it and although there are now some clear areas in the forest, for the most part it's still well covered in snow. The creek, though, is running full with spring melt and the added rain. The creek itself is never an attractive sight save for winter when it cradles ample snow to give cover to its stark unattractiveness unlike most forested creeks say in southern Ontario. This one has a clay base and sparse productivity for fish or other aquatic creatures.

Today, we heard the madcap call of a Pileated woodpecker, the sweet trills of cardinals and the perky little sound of nuthatches in the woods. At the front of our house where the bird feeders are, flocks of redpolls continue to gather in delightful numbers during the spring reversal of their migratory routes from southern climes back up to the Arctic.

Spring is most definitely on its way, beyond what the calendar year tells us, it's just got to become accustomed to asserting itself over winter's reluctance to leave. We're cheering it on.