In recent years our area has experienced a spate of mild weather in March, which has tempted people to predict the start of an early Spring. But then, after a few days-even a week-the temperature has dropped again and snow storms have returned, and people forget all about the possibility of an early Spring as they set about digging out after yet another snow storm.
But this year, it was different. Mild weather again set in, beginning in early March. And people began to talk about the possibility of an early Spring. I kept waiting for the usual return of cold temperatures and snow storms, but- to my surprise- the mild temperatures continued. Still, I wasn’t going to be lulled into complacency. We’ve gotten some pretty hefty snow storms in March and April in past years.
I love the skiing in late Winter-early Spring. The daylight is lengthening, and by February the sun is beginning to put out warmth again. It’s cold enough that the snow is firm and dependable. I look forward to making a few treks out on the rivers. But the rivers had frozen up differently, this Winter. It had taken a long time for the rivers to freeze over. Big ice chunks had come floating downstream and had fetched up against each other, forming a jumble of blocks. Then the snow had covered the blocks, hiding the cracks and crevasses between them. And the earthquake that hit back in December created more cracks in the ice.
Cracks also formed on the lakes, during the quake, and were then covered by the following snow fall, so I didn’t venture out to ski on any of the lakes where I usually go- it was just too risky.
On the 23rd of January I finally ventured out onto the rivers for the first time. I found a snowmachine trail going out onto the Talkeetna River and the dogs and I went out one evening. Way out in the middle of the river we came upon Moose droppings. That was a good sign- if the ice was strong enough to support a Moose, it was safe enough for me and the dogs. It was cold, and I made a mental note to return in February when the sun would make a ski trek more pleasant.
But then we had a strange weather phenomenon come through in January. What was termed a “tropical inversion”, or “a Pineapple Express”. The temperature climbed above freezing for several days. Overflow appeared on the rivers. I didn’t venture out on the rivers. From the shore I could hear water gurgling under the ice. I returned to skiing in the forests.
Sure enough, we are experiencing a true early Spring. Pussy willows adorned the branches way earlier than usual. Flies were waking from their winter sleep in my cabin and appearing on the window sills, only to be nabbed by Jorie, my house hen. She is quite adept at dashing across the room to grab a fly out of the air. At least it’s a quick demise for the insect.
Reports from the Birding network have been coming in weeks early of sightings of migratory birds. How the birds know that Alaska is having an early Spring and that they can arrive ahead of their usual time, is a mystery to me. The first Ruby-crowned Kinglet appeared in the forest by the cabin on April 13th, a good two weeks ahead of last year. I stepped outside mid-morning that day to hear a new voice in the forest- the unmistakable melodic song of the Kinglet from high atop a Spruce. There are four males who have territories in the forest around the cabin. So far, two have made it back. The Trumpeter Swan pair are back at their nest site on Fish Lake already, and sightings of Juncos, ducks, Grebes, Mergansers, and a few Hawks have been reported, even a Mountain Bluebird was spotted at the Talkeetna airport. This is just the trickle before the flood begins. But an early trickle, for sure. The trees haven’t even begun to bud out yet The sap is rising. Birchworks have set their taps and buckets already. Because the nights are still below freezing, the sap run is slow, yet. Early-yes, but slow.
March also went out mild, as well. I kept hoping for more snow, to improve the skiing. Spring skiing is my favorite time, with warmer temperatures and sunny days, but firm snow so the dogs can run wherever they want to go. I have wide, short, waxless ‘back country’ skis, which handle a thin top layer of soft snow very well, so I can go skiing later in the day when the sun is high in the bright blue Springtime sky. I go on the trails used by skiers all winter, but when the snow begins to soften, they stop using the trails, preferring faster conditions, and so the dogs and I have the forests to ourselves. Often I take Jorie or Jem, my house hens, out for a ski in their backpack, stopping at a patch of newly-thawed earth and taking the hen out so she can scratch and eat tender new grass shoots. The grass is still well-buried under snow around the cabin, so these outings to go find grass and bugs are appreciated by my hens.
I watch the weather predictions now, and as long as the night time temperatures are below 32 degrees, I know I can still go skiing the next day. Conditions will change soon. The overnight temperature will climb and the rains will come, ending my daily ski outings. But for now, the dogs and I are appreciating each trek. I listen to the birds in the forest. The local residents are singing their courting songs, and every now and then I hear a summer migrant chime in. I saw my first Butterfly on April 14th- an orange and black Fritillary flitting along the drive at the cabin. And I stopped skiing to stand and watch my first Bumble Bee fly along the bark of a grand old birch in the forest on April 16th- the earliest I can recall seeing a Bumble Bee, to date.
Spring is always the time of “firsts’: first sightings of birds, insects, bees, leaves, open water, flower buds, spiders, Hares changing color, etc. The melting ice and snow, the subsequent mud, and inevitable mosquitoes are offset by the excitement of new life bursting into being and familiar feathered friends returning to the North Country. It’s a good time to just step outdoors and let Nature fill up all your senses. Enjoy!
“Signs of Spring” Susitna Writer’s Voice, KTNA
Natural Observations; Robin Song
April, 2019
