'Tis the Season for Sneezin' and Freezin'.

As to Spring – we’re not there yet folks, contrary to the fact that I’ve been sneezing my head off, despite decades of allergy shots and popping an OTC Alavert every morning before I head outside. Right now the pollen count is high – the leaf count is not and trees are still bare. I see plenty of maple tree dander scattered on the streets and sidewalks, but leaves have yet to unfurl, with buds still tightly closed.

While we enjoyed a handful of days when temps reached above 70 F (21 C), today our temps dropped like a rock and tonight a wintry precip will arrive. Here in SE Michigan, we have it easy though, nothing like other Midwestern states which will endure blizzards and another bomb cyclone and possibly snow measured in feet, not inches. Winter is stomping its foot and refuses to let go.

A few things appear to smack of Spring as I walked through the neighborhoods. This morning I saw a Robin playing tug of war with a worm who desperately tried to stay put, but eventually gave up and the Robin gave one final tug and went backward a bit, almost cartoon-like.

Likewise, the sun’s rays glinted onto an iridescent trail that showed me the slugs have already begun their slimy journey across sidewalks and driveways. Still missing from that concrete are the chalk art drawings which I like spotlighting in my blog posts – just wait until the kids get pastel sidewalk chalk in their Easter baskets and these budding artists will be out drawing once again.

At Council Point Park, though it is ten days into April, the landscape remains bleak looking. I did a walk around trying to find a sign of life (other than the critters of course) and pickin’s were slim indeed.

A few drab-looking ducks had an early morning swim in the Ecorse Creek.

No sign of life from the turtles and frogs yet. I have my fingers crossed they did not perish like the gizzard shad that died en masse due to lack of oxygen when all the aquatic plants beneath the frozen surface didn’t survive the Polar Vortex.

The water level at the storm drain at Council Point Park is almost to the top after the ice melted and all the rain we've had. The mallards usually stay under the storm drain to keep warm in the Winter months. The water level is so high right now, they would bump their heads. I pity the people who are still dealing with flooding issues from this last bomb cyclone and now will face another one beginning tonight.

The only dribs and drabs of color were found at the memorial trees.

Erica Sharick’s tulips were up about six inches – eventually the bright-yellow tulips will bloom the same time as her flowering tree which will erupt into white blossoms.

At James Compton, Jr.’s tree, the vacancy sign remains, with no takers yet. Someone moved the birdhouse and fastened it securely onto a branch – previously it was just wedged between two big branches.

You will recall I’ve spotlighted Brian Skinner’s memorial tree before. Well, since hockey season has ended and the Tigers are playing ball, this tree is now sporting a baseball wreath.

The rest of the Park looks tired and Winter weary right now.

I think we all need a pick-me-up as we trudge through April and toward May.

You can catch up on my blog posts before I started blogging at Patch in August 2013 by going here: http://lindaschaubblog.net