Only two weeks ago I was shooting photos as wet snow fell and clung to every surface. Now spring has arrived, ushered in by line squalls, thunderstorms, and summertime heat. I’ve yet to see any wildflowers or butterflies, but Contributing Photographer Pat McKay has seen both during his travels through the Delmarva Peninsula. If you look carefully at his photo of a swallowtail butterfly, you can even see a yellow haze of pollen on the leaf:

And here’s a pink lady’s-slipper that Pat spied earlier in the week:

 
Spring! It’s always good to watch the land come to life again. Thanks, Pat, for giving us two great portraits of the season.

Right-click on any photo to see an enlargement in a new window.

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By fits and starts, spring is making its way north to the Adirondacks. The first trilliums are pushing their heads up through the woodland duff, white-throated sparrows are returning to join robins and red-winged blackbirds at household feeders, and the ice is all but gone on most local ponds. But it’s still too cold in the mountains to entice snakes and turtles to venture out and about. That’s not the case in more temperate climes, however, and I’m happy to report the first Turtle Taxi rescue of the year. And who is the good samaritan? None other than a frequent Outside contributor, cyclist and photographer Pat McKay. Here’s his account:

[Last Wednesday] marked the first turtle rescue of the year for me. It seems that every spring its always a snapping turtle, not a docile little box turtle, that I find sunning itself in the middle of the road. The box turtles tend to show up around here when it is a little bit warmer. Isn’t this a great face though? And I’ve still got all 10 fingers!

And here are two photos Pat took of the snapper before he carried her to safety:

Thanks, Pat, for giving this grande dame a helping hand! And if you’re wondering what you can do when you see a surly snapper (or even a bashful box turtle) who’s about to venture out into harm’s way, you’ve come to just the right place. First, read “Become a Turtle Taxi.” Then print out our Quick Guide and carry it with you whenever you head down the road. Somewhere there’s a turtle who’ll have good reason to be glad you did.

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The northern spring is a fickle season. Today, the sun shines and a warm breeze stirs the budding branches. But tomorrow it will snow. And the day after that? Who knows? In short, like many another defeated commander, General Winter is loath to leave the field to the enemy, and it sometimes seems as if his final capitulation will never come.

At least that’s how it seems to me. And I’m not alone. Idahoan Susan Stone has been yearning for an end to winter, too, but her musings are framed in much less martial language. Which is as it should be, since—while winter often takes on the character of a general at the head of an invading army—spring has an altogether different nature…

Spring, you sly season,
How you tease me today—
There’s still snow on the mountain,
To warn me away,
But the air is so warm,
And there are buds on the trees,
And the birds are out singing—
You so love to tease.

Spring, you sly season,
Daffodils are in bloom,
And the clouds are all puffy,
Not dark Winter’s gloom,
And I long to be walking
Feel the warmth of the breeze—
Dare I hope to believe it?
You so love to tease.

Spring, you sly season,
I see new leaves on the rose,
It’s too warm for my scarf
And something tickles my nose.
And I want to get busy,
Getting down on my knees,
Planting flowers for summer—
You so love to tease.

Spring, you sly season,
Dark Winter’s bright child,
Your smile, it is merry
And your soft touch is mild.
You so love to play me,
But Spring, if you please,
Be certain you’re staying.
You so love to tease!

Susan’s husband James shot this photo of last year’s crab apples, still clinging stubbornly to their branch as new leaves unfurl all around them. Returning birds will find the table laid and waiting. And we’ve had quite a feast laid before us, as well, thanks to Susan and James.

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