Expecting to find flowers and butterflies in March this far north is expecting a lot. Winter often lingers well into April and our average day of last frost is May 15. A Spring this early only raises suspicions. I’m expecting to be suckered punched by Old Man Winter as soon as I let my guard down.

But I’m beginning to change my mind. Things that know better than me are out for their spring fling. Maybe just maybe Spring is here to stay. -crosses fingers-

The Crocus and Vinca are a week or so early. A couple brave volunteers came by to cheer me up.

Sometimes I think Mother Nature gets carried away with yellow. The first two flowers of the year have been yellow. First the Winter Aconite, then the Crocus. Thank goodness some Vinca butted in and added a bit of pale blue to the list. Not that I’m complaining, any color is great right now but I can’t help seeing the pattern has already already.

But Butterflies? The Grey Comma Butterfly is a bit early. Last years sighting was on March 25th. I saw one a couple days ago and went on a wild goose chase and never got a shot. A couple more were out today and I got my pic.

Gray Comma Butterfly – Polygonia progne

Both butterfly photos are linked to a larger size (1024 x 768) for a closer look. I wouldn’t use either as a desktop background but you can go ahead and do it. I’m holding out for something better.

I believe this is my first sighting of the Mourning Cloak Butterfly. The only surprise I really had was being able to identify it so easily. Makes me doubt myself when things go so well. I expect to make a full report at a later date. I need to rehash everything to set it in my mind.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly – Nymphalis antiopa

Sometimes what’s not there anymore is a sign of Spring. The porcupines haven’t been around for a couple of days now. They’re out and about and I just hope we don’t catch on on the ground. I think they must have some kind of scent that makes a dog stupid enough to stick it’s nose where it doesn’t belong. Not for a second do I believe Pookie is an exception. It took way too long teaching her those weren’t Easter eggs.

Sometimes Spring revels the remains of a past life like yesterday’s skull. I’ve come across leg bones, piles of turkey feathers, bundles of fur and this claw.

Well, I thought it was a claw when I reached to pick it up.

I also found this scene of an alien landscape in Spring. Yesterday’s wallpaper is history. This background is going to stick around for a while. I think it’s one of my better images and I was tempted to let it solo it’s own post. But anyone who made it this far deserves something better than a burnt plastic fork.