First signs of Spring

This has been a pretty mild Prairie winter. And the signs of Spring arrived much earlier than it did last year! Tomorrow is the official First day of Spring. Although some years, that is just a technicality and the temperature could be -20 with 2 feet of snow on the ground. This year, it appears almost spot on.
For a week or so now I have heard and seen the return of the Canada Geese, and even a few ducks. And yesterday, the gophers were out. (Richardson Ground Squirrel). I took a picture of this guy out in the field where the cows were bale grazing.

Another sign we start looking for, is the first real growth of grass. Last year I documented the first weeds at April 17th, and the grass didn't really start until April 20th. But today I saw grass. Grass that wasn't there yesterday. That is pretty exciting. Of course by this afternoon the rain had turned into sleet and by tonight it will be snowing. Spring is fickle and dances just beyond our reach!

So what are we busy with this time of year?

Well let's see:

•  last week I vaccinated all the goats, and dewormed the ones that needed it. I also trimmed  their hooves as needed, and they are now ready for the kidding season that starts in 4 weeks. 
• Next, I am working on getting set up for shearing day for the sheep, which is next week. On shearing day, the sheep will receive their vaccinations too.
• Last year the snow came early, and my yard is still covered in leaves which I would like to tidy up. 
• I have started some veggie and flower seedlings indoors in preparation for the gardening season.
• What I like to do now is prepare lots of easy meals for Spring when I am busy with kidding, lambing, and chicks in the brooder as well as yard work and getting the garden ready, and my day job. So when I cook, I make extra large batches. Extra chili, beef stew, chicken soup, bean soup, butternut soup, cookies and granola bars are processed into meal-size portions and frozen, ready to just heat up after a long day. 
• Then of course there is Spring cleaning, and checking supplies for kidding and lambing season: electrolytes, colostrum, milk replacer and nursing bottles in case they are required, vitamins, a stomach tube to quickly get colostrum in chilled goat kids, ear tags are ready to record births.

A busy time of year! Spring is about rebirth, awakening as the short days of winter give way to longer days, milder weather and the glorious anticipation of the return of Life.