Officially springtime begins on March 20th 2012, today is only February 29th 2012. Yet spring has been making an appearance for several weeks in Southern Appalachia.
The daffodils have been in bloom, along with many other springtime flowers.
Temperatures vary, some days the temperatures have reached far into 70 degrees. These mild temperatures are the right conditions for this springtime growth, leaving nature to believe it is the time to be growing.
Noticeably the leaves are budding on some trees. The uncertainty of springtime is puzzling to us all. Dandelions have grown throughout this entire mild winter. A recent article by this Appalachian Nature Examiner details this oddity, further readings can be found at www.examiner.com/appalachian-nature-in-atlanta/dandelions-growing-the-wi....
The American Robin bird has maintained itself very well during this winter. These birds usually migrate to where food is easily gathered, but with the mild temperatures their food supply has been stable this winter. Whether it’s officially springtime or not, these birds are thriving well on the berries they find in areas throughout Appalachia.
Cold weather for many wild flowers, budding trees, is not ideal for their growth. Winter has plenty of time to reappear. March is a month known notoriously for unpredictable weather. Usually is can arrive as though a meek lamb and leave out like a roaring lion, giving us the idea of a probable mixture of mild and cold temperatures anywhere during these 31 days.
Springtime in the mountains has sprung, yet winter may not be over. We’ll just have to wait and see.
“Appalachia, Appalachia, a land where beauty finds a way to eventually grow again.” --Rana Williams
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