Things in Northern Vermont are changing rapidly. Not only are the grocery store shelves becoming barer every day, but changes in the environment are seemingly occurring overnight. The snow has largely been dismal this last month, the ski areas up north mostly closing due to COVID-19, but also likely due to the extreme lack in snowfall. This was a big bummer for all local skiers, that our season was getting cut short but still that the boot-able ski terrain was also going to suck regardless of the lifts. Accepting the end of the season and the end of winter, myself and many others are avidly awaiting the warm breezes and vibrant wildlife to return. However, March seems to be hanging in a sort of limbo. The last 3 weeks have seen next to no snowfall and plenty of rain. The sap is running, birds are chirping and it seems winter is over a month too soon. Then overnight the temps drop and 6″ of snow gets dropped in the foothills and 10-11″ on the mountain. Not only is this a shock to us skiers, but undoubtedly the wildlife returning on the promise of spring. This confusion will only last a short while when it warms up in the coming days, but this significant and sudden snowfall will trigger massive flooding soon enough. The owl that lives next to my house is back and regularly calling again, and I’ve spotted another owl while driving, along with a red-tailed hawk and its fresh chipmunk kill near my house. Once the snow melts and mud season gets into full swing the changes around the state will begin to happen even faster. I’m excited that I can take up new hobbies since I have so much more free time from the absence of classes, but also sad that I cannot see my friends from college or go skiing anymore. Vermont’s animals and its humans are in a place where winter isn’t fully gone, but spring isn’t close enough to allow for life to continue as it would. Tonight it started to rain, and I saw a couple frogs hopping around, I just hope they didnt come out too early an get hit by a delayed frost. I think spring is here to stay though.