It's been a long, cold winter in Missouri and throughout most of the central and eastern U.S.; no doubt, it's been a tough season for the global warming business. Trudging home into a stiff, northwest wind last evening, I was reminded that the spring equinox is still more than three weeks away and that old man winter has not yet given up on the Midwest.
But, just a hundred yards from home, I heard the distinctive call of snow geese and looked up to watch a large flock of those inspiring travelers, pushing north despite the conditions. Spurred on by the lengthening days, the geese are heading back to their Arctic breeding grounds and will likely make several more stops to rest and feed along the way. Though they take advantage of southerly winds and may have their journey delayed by severe weather, snow geese are among our first spring migrants and their determined flight brings hope to winter-weary humans.
While yesterday's flock is another sign of the oncoming spring, a new Canadian front will drop southward tonight, putting us back in the deep freeze for a few more days. Weather patterns may come and go but the seasons, like the geese, move along.
