March is the month when winter starts to fade and spring starts showing up more and more. The archive photos for today show the process pretty well, starting with the top photo snapped by Jon Anderson back in 2002. Charlie mentioned in his notes that the familiar glow of lights on the horizon had reappeared with the opening of the shipping season again, which brought to mind this photo that had actually appeared a few years earlier. The start of the shipping season is always a sign that spring is not far off. The 2018 shipping season officially opened yesterday, March 25th.

David Antikainen was in Eagle Harbor back in 2004 to snap this neatly framed shot of the Lighthouse there. The Harbor still had some ice on it, but you can also see the open water starting, too. Another sure sign that spring is arriving.

Then in 2007, E. Neil Harri was doing what he does best, flying and snapping photos. He was over the Keweenaw Tip when he captured this scene with Manitou Island off the end of the tip. There was still some snow and ice blanketing the shoreline, but for the most part, the Big Lake was open, just waiting for the freighters to sail by once again.

Today’s venture on video from Juan Abelleira was filmed back in 2008, but it shows off the beginning of the melt on Lake Superior from the crackling of the ice as water flows underneath, to the patches of open water as it gushes by. Spring is on its way!

Peaceful! Just what I need on this full-swing, tax season March 26th.

Here's to a safe shipping season for everyone on our
fresh water seas!

All pictures are awesome! I'm going to Duluth the
2nd weekend of April and am hoping to see some
ships. I so love them. And I love the Eagle
Harbor Lighthouse. Beautiful!

the falcons are back on the liftbridge, even though it is covered with snow.

Two welcome signs of Spring--melting ice on Lake Superior and the
return of the freighters. Can't wait to witness these in person next
week.