A keen observer for many years of the weather on the first day of spring (my birthday), I can conclusively attest that it’s officially a crap shoot. I’ve experienced snow storms, a light accumulation of snow (like today’s inch), icy rain (which came later in the day today), cold rain, dismal fog, intermittent blue sky, gorgeous blue sky over a snowy landscape, gorgeous blue sky over a spring budding landscape, freezing winter temps like today’s 31 degrees, warm temps in the 60s, and summer-like weather with temps in the mid-70s.

Pictured here are scenes from my pond walk today, the first day of spring. In the post below, there are pictures (of the mallards and the wood duck) that I took yesterday. What a difference a day makes in New England.

I was puzzled by the snake-like path (above) that weaved its way through the slush on top of the pond and along its edge.

Then I spied the newly arrived mallards paddling along the shoreline, making the most of their start of the new season. It’ll be a story for the grandchildren, they tell each other.

I’d forgotten how timid these ducks are. They get a bit panicky as I pass by and try to move away from me by going toward and attempting to step up onto the soft ice, which breaks apart beneath their paddle feet. I was glad that for the stretch pictured above, my favorite grove of birch trees gave them a sense of shelter. Please click on this photo to enlarge it and look at the beautiful eye of the female. I have referred to her “Cleopatra eyes” in past posts. They are beautiful and I wonder if nature influenced the black lined make-up of Egyptian women.

Despite the frigid temperature today and the falling snow, the birds were busy singing and perching and chasing one another. Above, a bluejay sits contentedly, as if all were sunny, warm and bright. And the robin below, as well as the dozen others in the same row of trees seemed to not mind the blast of winter that descended on the day.

Sunshine or not, nature has beauty. I’ve learned to accept whatever she chooses to display on my birthday. And really, what’s not to love in the scene below. Here is our planet and its offerings of water, land, vegetation and the myriad life forms that are hunkered down within this colorless winter scene.

Let the snow fall, let the temperature drop. It’s just a day, one day only, on the cusp of spring. The pine needles did not stop their thawing for this day. And the earth did not cease to move closer to spring. Heck, it could be here tomorrow!