Hibernation is over.

We are having a very gradual thaw this year.

Last week we had a light snow. Then the thaw waters and runoff from surrounding fields drained and lowered. The result was a striking visual: areas of snow and ice floating above the frozen ponds and ditches. Magical.

On a small pond in one of our pastures, this pair has returned.

The sun is stronger, and rapidly thawing the snow. At night, puddles and ditches freeze, and the frost works its magic on the edges of bodies of water.