March has been a month of record-breaking temperatures in Wisconsin. Where I live, we've had 17 days above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in March, including four days above 80 degrees and another four in the high 70s. High temperatures in March usually average in the 40s.
It feels like the robins have been here long enough to have raised a family already, and the trees are leafing out a month early. That means my allergies are starting early. Fortunately, I only suffer for a week or two.
Most people are reacting to the weather with a sense of relief because we've had a few rough winters lately. We feel we deserve an early spring, but the pleasure of the warmth and sunshine is mixed with occasional pangs of dread. "This is just weird," I hear people say. "We're going to pay for this."
I decided to enjoy the weather today by taking our two American Hairless Terriers for a walk and snapping a few pictures.
It was such a mild winter that last year's berries are still here, mixed in among the new leaves. I guess the birds didn't need them.
Where there are new leaves, there are are new insects.
A carpet of green covers the ground in the tiny patch of woods near my house.
I don't know exactly which tree pollen I'm allergic to. Maybe this is the culprit.
Wishbone surveys his land.
Just beyond the patch of woods is a farm. I've never seen the first crop of alfalfa so green and full this early.
Even in my own yard, everything seems to be way ahead of schedule.
Dandelions are here...
...some of them are even gone.
The bleeding hearts are...bleeding, I guess.
The pear tree is in full bloom. It's a sterile tree, just for decoration. Trivia question... Who said "Don't touch me, Ralph. I'm sterile"?
Those creatures are loud, aren't they? You should hear them at night.
It's hard to remember it's March, until you see the long shadows cast by Wishbone and Keegan.