I know some people associate hyacinths with Easter, but to me they just mean spring. Their scent, more than that of any other flower, signifies the season. I bought some blue hyacinths the other day and put them on my nightstand, and on and off through the night, I can smell them as I dream.

I'm seeing more signs of spring in nature, too.

Sunday, March 28 I saw 13 trumpeter swans in ponds and small lakes along the highway between Bemidji and Park Rapids. Most of the swans were in pairs, but near Itasca State Park, I saw at least 3 swans together.

Yesterday, March 29, I heard my first killdeer of the season.

There's a word for keeping track of the return of different birds, breeding cycles of animals and the flowering stages of plants and trees — phenology. It's the study of periodic biological phenomena, especially related to climate. 

I have phenology records going back to 2003, and in many years, migrating birds return to the area on the exact same day. For the past few years, late spring and early summer have been cooler than usual, and some species have been affected, including frogs and toads. 

Can't wait to see what this year brings.