Signs of Spring

I remembered to grab the camera this morning so I could record how spring is shaping up in my neck of the woods. I apologize for the quality of some of these pictures; it was a bit breezy and I was one-handing it for the most part since I had the dog along on a leash, occupying the other hand. As I predicted, the above average warm weather of last week coaxed the flora to show signs of life by Saturday. The willows seemed to be the first to take notice, and by today they are fairly leafed out. On closer inspection, I found they also had their seed pods unfurled.


Near this willow are some young flowering plums. They are not so sure that spring is really here.


I'm not sure what this tree is, but it is willing to believe it's time to leaf out.



I don't know what this tree is either but it's ready to get on with it too.
















Not all trees bud out in green. It's easy to spot these red ones which may be maples.















Bulbs are pushing their way through the warming ground...these are iris I think.


And look! I didn't think we had anything blooming yet, but here are some early daffodils.



By now you must realize I don't know my trees very well. So I can only say about this one that I was fascinated by these delicate wispy seed pods. They are about 3 to 4 inches long and the branches are quite thick with them.













Lying in the gutter are pods blown off by our recent gusty winds. Which trees they came from I do not know.













The oaks are the biggest holdouts. They are still tenaciously holding on to their dry and bittle leaves from last year. They rattle in the wind.

Of course, the truest sign of spring are all the "For Sale" signs going up in front of houses all over town.