The Vernal Equinox, and the Verdant Season

mixed bouquet of spring snippings from the yard

About 9:30 PDT yesterday evening the sun crossed the celestial equator from the southern hemisphere into the northern hemisphere. For us in the northern hemisphere that makes this the first day of spring.

It is the Vernal Equinox: vernal =pertaining to spring, equinox = equal, or equal amounts of daylight all over the globe.  For those living in the southern hemisphere, it is the Autumnal Equinox. 

The clouds moved in to cover the sun early this morning.

 So how has your first day of spring been going? Our spring began with the return of rain. After a week of mostly sunshine and dry days, we are worn out from using every dry hour to work outside, here at home, in the Whidbey garden, and in Jill's yard. The rain is giving us a reason to take it easy today.

Today's rain, however, is not that hard, cold winter rain. Today it is a soft rain, a persistent spring shower, rain that will keep everything fresh in this verdant season, when our world goes green again. 

I took my camera with me when I walked out to the street to pick up the newspaper this morning. Greening and blooming keep on happening. 

 Oregon grape has prickly leaves but a lovely fragrance

 The full moon maple, and all maples, are beginning to bloom

 The moisture streaked window blurs the bloom on the geranium cutting in the greenhouse. That's where you will find Tom this afternoon - rain-free gardening. 

It's hard to believe that the daffodils will soon be done already. But as you saw above, the tulips are not far behind. 

What will be left for May flowers?

Happy Spring, everyone!