This morning’s rain did not last long.  It was the first precipitation (except for the odd frozen snowflake) that we’ve had for weeks.  We had a few days of really lovely warm weather (although freezing at night) then it got cold again.  The winds have been really bad all winter, and very cold these last 2 months.

But things are moving despite the conditions.

Jacob’s Ladder (named for the “rungs” on the leaves) is out.

Soopolallie bushes are loaded with their tiny green blossoms.  (This is a male bush.  Female flowers are less fuzzy.)

The dwarf birch is always the first to show green leaves

The cottonwood buds are much more spiky

When the rain stopped, I went for a walk in the cool, sweet-smelling air, and was rewarded with the first misty clouds of spring green.