Spring Actually

This morning the sun was out, contrary to the weather prediction, and so Scylla and I decided to walk the trail across a couple of fields and through the woods that we usually ski on. There were great cross country skiing conditions this December and walking the trail today I was reminded of Christmas and my favourite seasonal film, Love Actually. A highlight is the Bill Nighy character's reworking of Love is All Around.
And so yet another rendition.. 

Spring is All Around

I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes 

Spring is all around me

And so the feeling grows

It's written in the wind
It's everywhere I go
So if you really love Springtime
C'mon and let the wind blow.

Unlike in Toronto, where all the snow has been gone for quite awhile, there are significant patches on the ground here in the country; on north facing slopes, under coniferous trees, on compacted trails and ponds. In the photo below the snow is just starting to melt.

Soon this low lying area will be a substantial vernal pool.

Here on this south facing slope virtually all the snow has melted creating a small vernal pool.

While it is mainly a sepia-toned landscape there are spots of bright green; the mosses, grasses, ferns and hemlocks.

Bright green moss

 A broad-leafed carex

Two grasses basking in the sun

Fern fronds lie prostrate but will soon become erect.

A healthy woods with lots of hemlocks at various ages

In exposed areas you can always tell the direction because moss grows on the north side. But exposed to full sun or in deep shade moss, being opportunistic, will grow wherever it can.

A symmetrical "ball" of moss on the north side of this tree trunk

A completely moss covered rock

At this time of year when the deciduous forests enjoy temporary full and direct sun, certain trees seem to glow.

A beautiful white birch

These beech leaves shine in the sun

Not many people frequent these woods. I don't even know who owns them. In the quite distant past there was a sugar shack whose remains become harder and harder to find each year. In the winter, as well as me and my friends skiing the trails, they are also enjoyed by snowmobilers. I count on them to do their chainsaw magic and keep the trail clear. 

A old cast iron door used in boiling down maple sap

This fallen tree was recently sawn and moved out of the way to keep the trail clear

This tree trunk has fallen since the last time I was on the trail

After a few seasons these sawn fallen trees seem to become part of the landscape 

There are many low areas with streams that range from trickles in the summer to raging torrents or small ponds during spring fun-off. Scylla and I made our way through or around many of these waterways until we were finally defeated by one that was too fast and too wide. 

Scylla assesses this swollen creek and decides it is just too big to ford or walk around

Scylla love these walks. But, always a homebody, she takes the enthusiastic lead when it is time to turn around and head back home.

So it's off and running home!

As we make our way home you can see water everywhere making it's way to Railway Creek.

A new creek forms at the low point of these two slopes. It is making its way down to Railway Creek.

Railway Creek itself is still frozen but the edges have started to melt

An old beaver lodge separates the upper level of the Creek from the lower 

Scylla marvels at the fast flowing water cascading down the rocks 

Railway Creek at the south end of our property downstream from the woods