Now the lilacs are blooming in March

We tend to be impatient here in Wisconsin. Early spring is such a lovely season -- wouldn't it be even lovelier with the scent of lilacs wafting in the air? Why do we have to wait for May for the lilacs to bloom? That's why we've been experimenting with an early-blooming variety of lilac that bursts into blossom a full 6 weeks earlier than the old kind. Or is it just the weather?

Photographed at Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, UW-Madison Arboretum.

Sandhill Cranes at dusk on the first day of spring

They seemed to be both vigilant and meditative as dusk fell on Stricker's Pond in Middleton.

Thw world is run by those who show up, and recall elections are won by those who show up.

The sign has never been more true than now -- especially for those thinking of running against Scott Walker in the recall election. Recalls are won by those who show up. Time is running out. (Photographed at Veterans' Rally at the Capitol March 19, 2011.)

"What's for lunch?" asked the Cooper's Hawk

I was shooting spring foliage when this stunning raptor swooped down into a nearby tree and started scanning for prey. I had just an instant to frame and focus and squeeze off a single shot through the leaves before it flew off behind a house. I thought it was a Cooper's Hawk, and found I was right by uploading it to the wonderful Bird Identification Help Group on Flickr, where bird watchers from all around the world help ID birds,

This. Is. Insane.

Seen on our bike ride tonight past the UW Arboretum. Crabapples blooming in Wisconsin on March 21? Give me a break.

In Madison spring made its entrance in summer clothes

The Southwest Bike Path had at least as many people on it as on a summer day, maybe more, out of sheer exuberance. And with another record high of 81 degrees, the temperature made for a perfect summer afternoon, with only the trees and shrubs spoiling the illusion. But they're coming along too. Saw some oaks budding today. Spooky. Not exactly the way we usually greet the first day of spring in Madison.

Spring rain with daffodils and forsythia on last day of winter

Yesterday was the last day of winter, although it didn't look lik ethe last day of winter.

We had a lovely spring rain in the morning and then the sun came out, and we had another gorgeous summer day, skipping right past spring. In the front yard, the daffodils sunned themself, wearing raindrops like jewelry, and out back the forsythia dried out in the warm spring air that was really the last breath of winter.

After 5 straight days of record highs, we fell just short of setting another record.

Took a walk at Stricker's Pond and saw our first Sandhill Cranes of the year

We've had reord temperatures for five days in a row. Sunday's record of 81F broke the old record of 80F set 94 years ago in 1918. No wonder these Sandhill Cranes looked so comfortable at Stricker's Pond in Middleton.

"I'd rather have 14 runners than 1 Walker"

Reference to the Heroic Wisconsin 14, the Democratic state senators who left the state, giving the Wisconsin Uprising time to organize and grow into the force it became. (Coincidentally, the young runner ran into the frame just as I was tripping the shutter.)