Could it be?

Yesterday the rain stopped and the clouds parted just as predicted by the weather forecasters.  Some of the cloud formations looked to be rolling away...

Then came the predicted lull when temperatures reached into the mid to upper 40's as sunshine gained ground for several precious hours before the winds began to build.

Surprisingly I found open water after launching my boat into the Assabet River from Magazu's Landing and heading upriver.  It was open up to Lake Boon's outlet...
...and to Fort Meadow Brook...
...though box-culvert headroom was less than required for passage.

I later went downriver and checked the large/shallow area between Gardner Hill and Crow Island...
...and found it mostly free of ice.

Wildlife were also enjoying the warm sunshine such as this blue heron...
...and this dining musquash...

Taking flight in sync were this pair of swans...
...while a red-tailed hawk enjoyed a sunny perch...

Came across a ducky race entrant who, judging by his bleached look, may have gone off course many moons ago...

Could it be that spring is at our doorstep?"  Just then a belted-kingfisher flew by.  Something's up.



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