springing

Oh man spring comes late at 9000 feet.... Last weekend we drove down to Boulder to help a friend out and it was green, trees had leaves, it was 28C.  We had the snow tires changed out and grabbed all of the camping gear from storage.  On our way back up we drove in some of the worst conditions I have EVER encountered, and hey, I am from Canada.... as the Subaru acted as an icebreaker we giggled that we must look like we got off a plane from a warm destination, for our shorts and sandals were not at all appropriate dress for the weather.  
But spring it IS here in the Rocky Mountains.  Snow is gone from all but the full day of shade spots swelling the creek to a full-on river complete with mosquitoes   The fly fishers are clogging up the Blue River and on a rest from a bike ride to the dam the other day i witnessed their successes.    
Why did Lightfoot make pussy willows so damned melancholy with all of those flat chords?  Yesterday they looked very happy with their yellow halos against a strong sun shine.  Buds are out but no leaves.  
The ungulates are active around the neighbourhood and below are a couple of shots I took in a hurry outside the kitchen window.  It pleases me to wash dishes and see them.  It also reminds me to exercise a little more caution when hiking. 
But the best thing about spring here in Silverthorne are the hummingbirds.  Squealing kamikaze sirens as they race from pine to pine.  One became infatuated with x-mas lights i have around the patio so I got a closer look, not a variety I am familiar with.  The soaring birds are back as well but it is tough to ID them from the ground whilst they twirl on the updrafts far above.
I look forward to wildflower season and a little macro work.