Phenology

First thaw of the year. With highs in the upper 20's and low thirties, the melt has commenced. The North Shore will surely experience a couple more cold Arctic freezes this winter. However, the sun is now strong enough to melt ice from roofs and roads during the daylight hours. I could literally hear ice crackle and react as I spread salt over it under this afternoon's warm sun . Perhaps the most indicative sign of spring: the first pussy willlow buds (catkins) emerged this weekend.