Snow is quickly melting away from the rocks in the woods. Drainage features in the landscape are now flowing with spring runoff gathered from the fields, adding the gurgling and bubbling of moving water to the soundscape. Few birds were hanging around the feeders this morning, no waxwings or sparrows were around, and a chipmunk chirped in fright when I snapped a twig while walking through the woods. An enormous flock of Snow Buntings I saw this morning was another sign of the changing seasons. Ah spring! But I am being premature in celebrating seasonal change. It is true that seasonal change is underway, but it is also true that almost a quarter of our annual snowfall comes during March and April. I don't doubt that winter has a card in its hand that will trump spring's game!
 
I am not sure why I took this photo. I passed by many bare patches of rock like this and none but this particular patch made me stop and raise my camera. It was the only photo I took this morning. The few birds and squirrels I saw were too fast for me and getting close to the neat patterns I saw in the melting ice where the water was flowing would have threatened my dry socks.