We got at least a trace of precipitation on each of the last seven days and that, along with temperatures that have been well above normal, has greatly accelerated the arrival of spring. Lawns and pastures are green. Red maples flowered early in the week and sugar maples are starting to leaf out. The east side of Cole Mountain is tinged with green. On the forest floor, Spring Beauties are abundant and have been joined by Purple Trillium, Dutchman's Britches and Trout Lilies. Hobblebush is leafing out and the outer petals on its flowers are blossoming. Forsythia is in flower and my plum tree is blossoming. The weeping willows by my pond have sprouted catkins along with their new leaves. I encountered a mother bear with three cubs along one of Bassett Brook's tributaries. The Blue Jays, chickadees and robins have been joined in morning song by Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, Eastern Towhees, and Phoebes. Tom turkeys have started gobbling in the early dawn. Raspberry canes are sprouting new leaves and I had to install the electric fence to keep the porcupines out. I've plowed my gardens and planted the first seeds. Greylock trails are damp and black flies and deer ticks are becoming more numerous. Spring has sprung!