Late update

So, so remiss. Last week in WV (well virtually in WV) I saw the trout lilies come out, the misquito larva swimming amidst the still frogs eggs, and beautiful sunshine. Back in Arlington the forsythia finally have shown themsleves. and things are busting out all over. But nothing from me, posting or pictures. Here's some.

Big Excitement

Saturday it's off to West Virginia to the mountains. That is a very promising idea, for hanging out with an old friend and puttering about his cabin as much as the woodland thing. IT's too bad that spring will be even earlier there than here, but maybe I can get some very early peeks at some things! I'll be bringing a cubic yard of plant idenficiation manuals, so if anything has sprouted I can be on top of it!

Briskly blooming

I had to go back and get my camera today. I got fooled by the temperature, but the trees are moving ahead. The magnolia is just beginning, but the maples are well into it.

Still the snow

The world is holding its breath. Submerged yet one more time in rainy sleety winter. We just have to kick our way across this stretch a little while, until we burst up into the warmth, gasping and sucking in the fresh scents and the sunshine.

We had a day or two of 75F weather, and then the rains came through, followed by sleet, and 30F days. Fate directed me to take long walks in the night rain, and then on a brisk march through a sleety city.

The rain was needed, so things should really come to lfe shortly. I took these pictures last weekend down the street while the sun was bright, but the woods were clearly waiting. Nothing doing yet. Waiting out the false dawn after a winter of unpredictability. Well, you can't fight spring, so as the tide turns I'll be there.

The name of our little friend in the picture eludes me, so I'll be back. Otherwise, all I saw was some chickweed, dandilions, and onion grass. The old leaves were still on the beeches and hornbeams. Only the mountain laurel provided significant green.

Winter

Nobody I met ever really "got" the woods. Like riding a bicycle or speaking your first language, you probably never lose that perspective once you get it. Last fall I stumbled onto someone who does get it. The good news is that he wrote a book about it, and I've been thinking about looking at the woods here in Arlington, VA. There's got to be lots of interesting things, and I'll talk about them here.

Why? For the shear joy of reliving those moments as I find them here this year, and to get to know one of my neglected, oldest, dearest friends, the woods.

We've just gone through a spate of snow and cold, but this morning I heard the birds singing fiercely, and a dove too as I type this. It's barefoot weather if you're just stepping outside for a moment, gentlemen, start your engines.