Season journal: the waters of February

From subzero highs to above freezing lows, February waters fall and flow.

This local roadside pattern mirrors a braided river bed: formed by slow water running over accumulated gravel.

This local roadside pattern mirrors a braided river bed: formed by slow water running over accumulated gravel.

The St. Croix froze over and the swans, geese, and other water birds fled. Here, a feeder creek opened, as did a small portion of the big river.

The St. Croix froze over and the swans, geese, and other water birds fled. Here, a feeder creek opened, as did a small portion of the big river.

That same day I saw the swans had returned.

That same day I saw the swans had returned.

Later this past week the sun came out and began melting the trees, encouraging them to take a deep breath and swell.

Later this past week the sun came out and began melting the trees, encouraging them to take a deep breath and swell.

This is a sign of spring here:: snow pocked by tree drops.

This is a sign of spring here:: snow pocked by tree drops.

Ducks love muck. They muddle the snow, making puddles cupped by bowls of underlying ice.

Ducks love muck. They muddle the snow, making puddles cupped by bowls of underlying ice.

The chickens venture out less, preferring dry feet. They lack down coats and carry their fat inside, instead of having a layer between them and winter earth.

The chickens venture out less, preferring dry feet. They lack down coats and carry their fat inside, instead of having a layer between them and winter earth.

Today we have snow again. The eyes say “winter” but the nose says “spring.”

Today we have snow again. The eyes say “winter” but the nose says “spring.”

We will work hard to have gardens and sprinklers to welcome the Grand Girl when she comes for a summertime visit. In the meantime, she practices putting on her own bathing suit, even if she grows in the desert, where water is scarce in all seasons.

We will work hard to have gardens and sprinklers to welcome the Grand Girl when she comes for a summertime visit. In the meantime, she practices putting on her own bathing suit, even if she grows in the desert, where water is scarce in all seasons.