Spring Where I'm From

Linking up with The Blended Blog for a spring themed link up today.  What is Spring like where I am from?

I'm coming to you from the City of Toronto in Southern Ontario, Canada.  Not to play into the stereotypes but we do have a long winter here and when spring (finally) arrives, we embrace it with everything we have.  This part of the country does have four distinct seasons, which is different from Nova Scotia, where I grew up.  There it seems like winter hangs around for awhile and then summer arrives without much actual "spring" weather.  I know these things are not exclusive to my city, but these are the things I love about Spring in Toronto:

Birdsongs.  We have lots of trees in our yard, and Toronto is a city of parks, so there are plenty of birds singing their hearts out.  My favourite are cardinals, but we have blue jays, robins, grackles, mourning doves, woodpeckers, and sparrows.

Flowers.  In our neighbourhood, and I'm sure in others, we have these lovely blue flowers that cover everything.  They only stick around for a week or two, but they are nice.

Cherry Blossoms.  Another sure sign of Spring in Toronto is the emergence of the cherry blossoms at High Park (also known as Sakura).  Our ice storm last weekend apparently did not damage the blossoms so the watch is on.  Then everyone and their dog flocks to the park to get a photo.

This is baby E, in 2012.

2017

People outside.  We tend to hibernate in the city throughout the winter, and the park by our house is not maintained in the winter anyway, so when the snow and ice is gone you will find hoards of people out and about.  Beware the errant child or biker, especially if you're on a bike.

Patios.  Give me a drink on a warm patio, with a bit of shade, and I am a happy gal.  Restaurants and bars are always chomping at the bit to get their patio set up and the customers are happy to fill them up.

Rubber Boots.  I don't care as much if the weather is bad if I get to wear my Hunter boots or Sorel duckie boots.

Sports.  The Raptors are in the playoffs, the Maple Leafs are in the playoffs, and the Blue Jays just about everyday.  Toronto vs. Everyone.

 2017 Home Opening Weekend

Butterflies.  I asked for E's contribution and this was his.  He said he sees them in "the field".

Racoons.  I would be remiss to omit the racoon population in this city.   They are around in the winter too, but, like the human population, experience a resurgence when the weather starts to warm up.  We even had one in our yard on Saturday in the middle of the day.