How I know it's officially spring in mid-Michigan

[djkimmel]

Since I don't live by a lake (though I have my usual temporary back yard spring swamp) I usually don't initially mark spring by blooming dogwoods or spring peepers. I usually first mark spring by the birds that appear around my backyard 'nature center' bird feeders (well, really squirrel feeders but many birds do get through!).

How I know today spring has officially arrived for mid-Michigan:

Not by the arrival of the Robins. They showed up weeks ago looking as confused as us hopping around on 2+ feet of snow between them and no hope of a worms!

Not by growing numbers of Juncos. Though they showed up trilling and buzzing at each other over back deck seeds we got another snow-covering AFTER they made their increased appearances.

Not even by the distinctive whistle of the White-throated Sparrow who are just passing through lately...

Nope. I mark spring by the arrival of the diminutive Chipping Sparrow. And today, April 22, 2014, I saw my first Chipping Sparrow hopping around picking at seeds on the back deck.

So spring is here! Just in time for the 2014 Michigan catch-and-release bass opener! Yes! About time.

[motocross269]

I know its spring because I just checked the Weather, NOAA data and looked at the Satellite pictures from the GLBass.com links....

Doesn't look like the Canadian weather bouy is up and running yet.....

[dartag]

How I know it is spring.   Open water.  I hate ice...

[JPawloski]

I know it's spring because my wife is ecstatic I'm going fishing this weekend. I get to be a pretty cranky SOB once late February hits.

On top of that the day to day crap we all deal with starts to roll right off the shoulders with nice weather and tight lines to look forward to every weekend.

[Waterfoul]

I know it's spring because people are bickering over the current closed bass season!!

[t-bone]

When my parents leave Florida and head north. They left today!