Spring in Vancouver
A common misconception is that the earth is further from the sun in winter than in summer. Actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in December, which is winter in the Northern hemisphere.
In Canada and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward on near March 21 st . This day is known as the vernal equinox . (Equinox means equal night )
HURRAY THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!
As the newly reborn sun races across the sky, the days become longer, the air warmer and,once again, life begins to return to the land.
The first day of spring is a big day for many people. Although it is officially
March 20th or 21st, spring doesn't come so quickly for most Canadians.
For those of us who are lucky enough to live in Vancouver, where spring usually
comes early, it is hard to imagin what it is like for the rest of Canada where
usuallly there is still snow and ice on the ground.
The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.
Henry Van Dyke,1852-1933
As you walk around this month you can see signs of spring, some of the early flowering trees are displaying their delicate blossoms. Along the causeway through Stanley Park the daffodils are starting to grow, and we can lookforward to them displaying their blooms from thousands of bulbs. The first rodedendrams are flowering and other bushes display life. You can also see catkins looking llike lambs tails, brilliant yellow forsythia, plump fuzzy pussy willows, and leaf buds starting to burst on the trees.
It's a wonderful time of year, one that seems to represent a renewal and beginning of life.
