signs of spring

Yellow crocuses are blooming in my yard.

Pussy willows (Salix discolor) starting to bloom

Missouri gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) beginning to leaf out

Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) starting to grow

Mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa).

This kind of butterfly hibernates for the winter, and emerges as soon as it warms up in spring.  This one was sunning itself and getting a drink by the river.