Spring at last?

Yeah! Our first 80 degree day and a howling wind to go along. The spring cherries are blooming in the woods, red maples are blushing with color, and oaks are pinkish green. Last week all those popples brought on the first real color for months! The horses and fire control guys are happy - horses because the wind will keep those black flies at bay and foresters love the excitement of "fire season" and the overtime it may promise.

The garden is all ready for the memorial day weekend and, perhaps the kayak and fishing pole will follow suit.

On the job front, the Wisconsin budget deficit is currently defined as 6.7 billion, but we are hopeful that our Basin Education program will survive to see another 2 years. Likely all state employees will take furlough - currently looking like 16 days required. I think I can make use of that time off - maybe putting the garden to bed or other pursuits that always sneak up on you?

So, it's a perfect spring day and here's the current phenology report: Birds this week-lots of Rose-breasted grosbeaks competing at the feeder, new sightings include indigo bunting & house wren. Tons of white throated sparrows (poor sam peabody,peabody, peabody), woodcocks are peenting every evening, and warblers are EVERYWHERE! Frogs are all chorusing with predominant chorus frogs (ascending call) and now more and more eastern grey tree frogs. Wildflowers blooming include wood anenome, dutchman's breeches, trillium, trout lily, and many others depending on what forest habitat you pick. My PMJ rhododendron are really pretty this year and myrtle is blossoming. Mom's huge jack in the pulpits are just coming up on the east side of the house. Hope this post finds you all well & enjoying your respective spring/early summer!