Spring Scents

I think every skunk in the county is now awake and ready for spring.  I smell them outside my backdoor and on the way to work.  Their aromatic essence came in through my vehicle vents on the way home today.  

The coyotes are also out in full force.  With the freeze-thaw happening lately, an icy layer has built up on the top of the snow.  This has created a nice solid surface for them to run across. They have been searching for rodents in the grassy areas.

The magpies are busy gathering twigs and other nesting materials.  This has been keeping them occupied and away from the tray feeder in the backyard.  The only birds left to fight over the peanuts are the blue jays.  They have been providing some great entertainment.

Yesterday's +11C temperature melted a lot of snow in the backyard.  The three foot tall dogwood that I planted last fall was totally covered with snow.  Now, half of the shrub is showing through.  Granted, it is close to the fence where the sun has melted the most snow, but it is something to look forward to.

All the snow has slid off the garage roof and the driveway has a number of water puddles forming on it.  I am so ready for spring.  It is so close.  I can smell it.  Oh wait, that was a skunk.