Spring?
03rd April 2014
3rd April 2014
Spring
"March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb" (proverb)
Are there different types of spring? Obviously spring can start at different times, depending on latitude and altitude. The higher latitudes and altitudes taking longer to cast off the cold shroud of winter, whilst the lower, more temperate parts of the south start to enjoy clear skies and warmer stable weather. But can spring be different?
I have, since the first Snowdrops stuck their heads through the hard, frozen ground, been trying to detect the first signs of springs awakening. My observations have recorded the first Celandine emerging to greet a pale sun, heard my first Chiffchaff high in a Birch tree on a rare bright, but cold day in Eskdale, seen my first Stonechat of the year flitting from the tops of prickly, yellow sprinkled gorse bushes. I have seen and heard all manner of birds chasing each other out of their territory, or making their mating fanfares from the tops of trees. spring is here - but is it different, depending on where you are?
The last three months I have been in the Lake District. The winter has been wet and windy, with occasional deep snow falling on the tops of mountains. It has been cold, dark and often very wet. Regardless of these uninviting conditions spring has stirred. Each day the sun would stay with us a little longer and this has stimulated life to start ramping up the momentum. Though not a frenzy yet, all things are active, moving, growing, flowing, making themselves known and thoroughly immersed in their own creativity and self awareness. Spring's citizens have heard her clarion and responded to the call.
However, spring has occasionally faltered. She has only had a tentative hold over this kingdom. Her influence here is weak and depends highly the direction of the wind. A cold northern blast, or a wet, windy south westerly will loosen her grip. Spring vies for power, but it is not clear her claim can be sustained.
Now, when moving our viewpoint south and looking at the past week, here spring has been around much longer. Now there are not just one Chiffchaff, but hundreds. The trees and bushes are full of life. Tree creepers climb, Nuthatches ascend and descend like elevators and all manner of wildflowers fill the hedgerows (from Anemone to Stitchwort). Spring has a strong hold, this is her domain, her heartland.
The first leaves, from nodes, are opening along the thin branches of trees. There is a green mantle forming, filling in the bare, cold open spaces and forming a protective verdant sphere above. The colour of life is green.
But, is spring different?
To me there is a difference between the Southern and Northern Springs, beyond just one being more formed and developed. The Southern spring has more depth. There are layers to it that the northern spring will never achieve. The Southern spring is a Philharmonic Orchestra. Here there are complexities that have formed and work in harmony as they intertwine. Bursting up through the green Dog Mercury and fragile, white Anemone are the dog violets, bluebells, Sorrel and Wild Garlic. Following the score are Campion, Herb Robert, Cowslips and Dead Nettle, waiting for their Que. All playing to the beat of warblers, thrushes, black birds, tits and robins. An acoustic tapestry that is rich and complex.
The northern spring, is more fragile (and therefore more precious) as it's ambassadors are also pioneers. There are no certainties plus there is a need to be more self sufficient as the environment is alien. Here spring is a lone voice, singing out into the hinterland, reverberating around barren, rock strewn mountainscapes, a singular tone that spreads out, thin, but clear. Spring in the Northern landscape is a solo violin concerto.
But is spring different?
Spring
"March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb" (proverb)
Are there different types of spring? Obviously spring can start at different times, depending on latitude and altitude. The higher latitudes and altitudes taking longer to cast off the cold shroud of winter, whilst the lower, more temperate parts of the south start to enjoy clear skies and warmer stable weather. But can spring be different?
I have, since the first Snowdrops stuck their heads through the hard, frozen ground, been trying to detect the first signs of springs awakening. My observations have recorded the first Celandine emerging to greet a pale sun, heard my first Chiffchaff high in a Birch tree on a rare bright, but cold day in Eskdale, seen my first Stonechat of the year flitting from the tops of prickly, yellow sprinkled gorse bushes. I have seen and heard all manner of birds chasing each other out of their territory, or making their mating fanfares from the tops of trees. spring is here - but is it different, depending on where you are?
The last three months I have been in the Lake District. The winter has been wet and windy, with occasional deep snow falling on the tops of mountains. It has been cold, dark and often very wet. Regardless of these uninviting conditions spring has stirred. Each day the sun would stay with us a little longer and this has stimulated life to start ramping up the momentum. Though not a frenzy yet, all things are active, moving, growing, flowing, making themselves known and thoroughly immersed in their own creativity and self awareness. Spring's citizens have heard her clarion and responded to the call.
However, spring has occasionally faltered. She has only had a tentative hold over this kingdom. Her influence here is weak and depends highly the direction of the wind. A cold northern blast, or a wet, windy south westerly will loosen her grip. Spring vies for power, but it is not clear her claim can be sustained.
Now, when moving our viewpoint south and looking at the past week, here spring has been around much longer. Now there are not just one Chiffchaff, but hundreds. The trees and bushes are full of life. Tree creepers climb, Nuthatches ascend and descend like elevators and all manner of wildflowers fill the hedgerows (from Anemone to Stitchwort). Spring has a strong hold, this is her domain, her heartland.
The first leaves, from nodes, are opening along the thin branches of trees. There is a green mantle forming, filling in the bare, cold open spaces and forming a protective verdant sphere above. The colour of life is green.
But, is spring different?
To me there is a difference between the Southern and Northern Springs, beyond just one being more formed and developed. The Southern spring has more depth. There are layers to it that the northern spring will never achieve. The Southern spring is a Philharmonic Orchestra. Here there are complexities that have formed and work in harmony as they intertwine. Bursting up through the green Dog Mercury and fragile, white Anemone are the dog violets, bluebells, Sorrel and Wild Garlic. Following the score are Campion, Herb Robert, Cowslips and Dead Nettle, waiting for their Que. All playing to the beat of warblers, thrushes, black birds, tits and robins. An acoustic tapestry that is rich and complex.
The northern spring, is more fragile (and therefore more precious) as it's ambassadors are also pioneers. There are no certainties plus there is a need to be more self sufficient as the environment is alien. Here spring is a lone voice, singing out into the hinterland, reverberating around barren, rock strewn mountainscapes, a singular tone that spreads out, thin, but clear. Spring in the Northern landscape is a solo violin concerto.
But is spring different?