Great Lakes and Land

Spring has sprung in the upper peninsula of Michigan

Its April 16^th and as I open the door of my truck to get the mail and what do I hear? Peepers. Yes natures orchestra has summoned that very famous chorus of peep frogs that play the first song of Spring. Forgotten is the time you went to check the mail in the middle of March wearing your shoes without socks and the blinding snow scattered the mail into the trees and the snow filled your shoes while retreiving the mail. You can remember it was a brisk walk back to the house. But thats history, the peepers are out and you can see faint green sprouts sprouting in the ditches, ducks looking for nesting spots in the river, and geese flying in formation. You still see patches of snow in the woods and as I am writing this a misquito buzzed my ear. A robin is pecking around a dirt pile looking for the early worm. One thing for sure, a U.P, winter makes a believer out of anyone when Spring arrives. The air never smells so fresh and the great awakening begins. Old man Winter is in his bed but is not asleep as yet, but he is very tired and will be asleep soon.The bluegills will be on their beds soon and what a treat to catch “slab” gills and then have a fish fry. Skunk cabbage, trillium, and cowslips are starting to sprout and the curtain is rising signalling natures encore. If you have never experienced Spring in the U.P., you are missing one of natures great scenes, only to be followed by Summer which portrays a new cast of characters in the second act. Remember “the best things in life are free”.