“Just a little green, like the color when spring is born.”
- Joni Mitchell
Birds singing, trees budding, a cool breeze off the lake – the feeling of spring awakening in nature and in our lives. The earth is preparing for summer, as are we.
In nature, the birds are preparing their nests, the frogs are singing in the wetlands, the bugs are emerging from their winter homes, the trees and plants are starting to grow, gathering sunlight and producing food.
The shades of green in the forest like a color wheel, ranging from bright yellow green birch leaves to dark green pine needles.
The lakes are also awakening from winter. As the ice goes off, the lake mixes from top to bottom. All the stagnant cumulative detritus of winter sitting in the dark depths get mixed into the light, refreshing the lake for summer. This turnover brings food to the surface for the waterfowl migrating through, the fish who are starting to spawn, and the plants that are starting to grow. The lake feels the warm sun on it’s surface like we feel the warm sun on our faces. Its a new season, a fresh start.
In our houses we are also getting rid of the detritus of winter. Cleaning the dust off as we open the porch, putting out the deck furniture, preparing our gardens for new growth.
I saw my first loon of the season a couple days ago. The first loon call is always a momentous occasion. They couple up and inspect their home lake again. Happy to be back from the south.
Our lake neighbors are also back from the south, and the seasonal businesses are opening up. Docks and boat lifts are going in. It’s like everyone is prepping for fun. The excitement is in the air. Soon we will be taking sunset boat cruises with a drink in hand. How lucky we are to experience lake life!
Moriya Rufer is a water quality professional with 20 years experience working with lakes in northern Minnesota.
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