Last Day of Winter and First Day of Spring

While today is, astronomically, the last day of Winter, it is, acording to me, the first day of Spring.

Let me explain.

I have several markers that I use to determine when sping starts. My current progression is three-fold. I begin smelling skunks- that is step one. I begin hearing hearing woodpeckers drumming and calling- that is step two. I hear Sandhill Cranes- that is step three.

Once I hear Sandhill Cranes, I know that spring has started irrespective of weather, temperatures, date, or anything else. They start springtime in the Helena valley. One further marker – sort of a punctuation mark – like “Spring!” is the return of the Turkey Vultures. This year, the vultures showed up a bit early, but the cranes arrives today.

Specifically, at 9:07am local time. I was walking the Lab in local park when I heard a familar and beloved sound- faintly and high in the air. I stopped and looked around and then I saw it- one lone Sandhill flying from east to west. S/he was calling like crazy and flapping across a brilliant blue sky.

So- 69 species so far this year and spring is only just starting!