While we're relishing this wonderful release from the long grip of winter that spring's arrival represents, we are certainly not the only creatures doing so. Birds are reversing their migration instincts to escape winter, and returning to the north. The forest animals that were repressed by
winter's relentless bone-chilling presence are now everywhere to be seen, to the delight of dogs passing through on forest trails.

Wild Ginger

Butterflies, beetles and bees are all now in evidence able to return to their nature-designated activities, their long winter absence finally over. Oh, and yes of course, the first wave of those ubiquitous, pestiferous mosquitoes have hatched and are busy with their work of responding to our presence in the ravine, alighting on whatever bare patches of skin are available. Not yet in great hordes, but that too will come.

Wild Strawberry Blooms

Which is why we appreciate windy days, stirringly sufficient that they are able to penetrate the now-swiftly-developing green canopy of the forest to provide relief not only from the strong glare of the sun but serving to waft mosquitoes away. Yesterday was such a day, with a nice, stiff breeze keeping those pests' activities to a minimum.

Yellow and Purple Violets; one lone Dandelion

Another shirt-only day, allowing us to stroll in leisure up and down hill, following our little dogs on long-familiar trails, pointing out to one another new flora sightings that give us so much pleasure as validation that spring, reluctant at first to confront grumpy winter, really has settled in for the duration, until summer nudges spring aside.

We came across many old flora friends, groupings of wild ginger, miniature gardens of violets in bloom, scarlet trilliums and sprays of foamflower finally appearing, and here and there, ever so discreetly, emerging Jack-in-the-Pulpits, and more red baneberry now in bloom than we can ever recall in the past. And it certainly looks like it will be a bumper year for wild strawberry production. 

We came across others of our acquaintances with their dogs companions, out enjoying the very same opportunities that we make so much of, and giving Jackie and Jillie an opportunity to bark excitedly then race over to welcome them and discuss canine matters with their friends.