With our recent snow fall, many of the trees are packed with snow... or I should say "were" packed, because this afternoon most of it has melted and dropped, even from the pines outside my office window, where I often write these notes. Doug Smith captured a similar scene through this tangle of deciduous limbs.

Spring is on the way.

Doug, I would guess, took this photo somewhere east of the Keweenaw. Looks like Beech leaves to me, maybe Marquette County?

Since you folks up north are looking forward to spring I feel it is my duty to report that the robins who have been in my backyard the past two months are no longer seen. They must be heading
back up north. So, hang in there, spring is on
the way.

Betty,
I don't think the robins are up north yet. We live in Wichita Falls,Texas and there are literally thousands of robins here. I have never seen so many before. Just before sundown they are scampering across the sky like they are crazy. This morning there were hundreds in one of our trees. Maybe they are waiting for spring to come to the UP and are "wintering" here for the duration.

Evelyn, Wichita Falls, Tx a former Yopper

Now this is a photogrpaher with an aesthetic eye!
Love this picture!

And a "photographer" as well!

beech tree to some but if you must rake leaves again in springtime another close sounding word describes them better? life is sometimes a beach.
nice photo of the wood's anticipation of the coming of spring. do you ever see the wee little people( no, not trolls) in the hills and forests of the u.p. especially around st. patricks day?

JJ, Trolls have been sited in the Keweenaw. They're usually on snowmobiles or at Tech. I should know. I am one (but I've got yooper blood). Although I haven't been on a snowmobile and don't go to Tech...

To Evelyn in Texas. Looks like the robins just made it as far as Wichita Falls. They must like it up there! They aren't in any hurry to get back up north yet, are they?