Waiting for Spring

The winter solstice has passed, and each day adds two to three minutes of daylight.

The crocus buds have already broken through the soil. So far winter in the mid-Atlantic, at least in Maryland and Washington, DC, has been wet but not freezing though we are not yet safe from frost. I wish the buds would hold off, not be too anxious to pop above the ground. February can still be a fierce month.

In the garden the birds are clustered around the bird feeder for food which is still scarce on the trees. The squirrels have figured out how to tip the feeders and scatter the seeds and grain on the ground so they can run off with it. My dog spends hours at the window watching the squirrels, just waiting to get out to defend her turf. She’s taken the side of the birds which she also watches but allows with more tolerance in her corner of the garden.

She sees a fox and wants to chase after it though she is smaller but just as fast. It is mating season for the foxes, and they disappear into their den.

The early signs of spring are breaking out everywhere. We wait, not always patiently, for the earth to warm, the flowers to bloom, the cubs to emerge and disappear into the woods and for the earth to tilt towards the sun.

Photo credits: Joanne Leedom-Ackerman

13 Comments

  1. Tom Hill on January 31, 2023 at 11:04 am

    Loved the boat house picture! Beautifull!!

  2. Joanne on January 31, 2023 at 1:29 pm

    Thank you, Tom. Actually it’s the neighbor’s boat house but makes it into our lens. Unfortunately looks like colder weather and even snow might be headed our way!

  3. Elizabeth Starcevic on January 31, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    Lovely musings. Glad for the beauty. Thank you, Joanne.
    Here’s to winter being winter. Abrazos, Elizabeth

    • Joanne on January 31, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      Thank you, Elizabeth. I hope you’re staying warm and writing!

  4. Lisa Dworkin on January 31, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    That sun rising is a painting waiting to happen!

    • Joanne on January 31, 2023 at 8:11 pm

      Maybe you’ll paint it? I can see it!

  5. Hilda Ochoa Brillembourg on January 31, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    Soooo beautifully described 💐

    • Joanne on January 31, 2023 at 8:13 pm

      Thank you! Come back to the Shore!

  6. Mary Locke on February 3, 2023 at 6:21 pm

    You’re right about February. We recently woke up to 22 below here in the Rockies. Spring seems a distant but welcome notion.

  7. Joanne on February 5, 2023 at 8:17 am

    The good news is spring is coming🌷🌻🌹

  8. Malcolm O'Hagan on February 6, 2023 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks Joanne for your lovely postings which warms my nature loving heart.

    • Joanne on February 7, 2023 at 6:49 am

      Thank you, Malcolm, for your appreciation and your warm heart.

  9. Julia Malone on April 8, 2023 at 11:25 am

    Great photos and wonderful reminder that all that seemed dead over the winter months now is alive and colorful!

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