First Signs of Spring

Spring seems to be forgetting it's supposed to be winter in this corner of Southeast Alaska.  While the lower 48 states are seeing blizzards and frigid temperatures, we're watching crocuses and rhubarb poke their heads up to take a look around.   Of course these conditions make it hard for Karen and me to paint in our studios.  So I thought I'd share some of Karen's efforts to document the season.  Naturally, I've chosen images that, for residents of more southerly climes, look about as much like spring as flour tastes like sugar  but, the sun made an appearance, the weather was warm, grasses were coming up around Karen's feet as she composed her images and there was a spring in her steps.

Blind Slough -- and yes, grass was really coming up in snow-free areas.  During other years we foundered in deep snow at this same place as much as a month later.

Buds are already swelling on our alders, a tree that some people think is birch or aspen.  While alders are related to birch, the white color comes from lichens growing on the bark.

                                  A close look at lichens and mosses growing on the alders.

              Fresh "spring" snow lingers on higher slopes while lowlands shed their winter plumage.

                  A closer look at those upper slopes on the north side of a ridge above Petersburg.

                     OK, Spring is still a few days off at higher elevations, but we feel it in our souls.