Which return visitor is the surest sign of a Canadian spring? Maybe it’s a robin. Perhaps it’s a crocus. It could be the sneaker snowstorm, akin to the sneaker wave. Or it could be the snow-removal contractor’s shovelling guy, hired to clear a path from the snowy street, up the snowy driveway, and along the snowy steps, who is still hard at it on the First Day of Spring, 2026. Herewith, my view from front and back doors this afternoon.
Sigh. This too shall pass.
In happier news, it wasn’t all snow this past week: we had ice, too. If that sounds sarcastic or insincere, adjust your dials: I’m completely serious. I take lousy photos of snow, but I enjoy at least trying to take good photos of ice.
But as I sift through my ice gallery, what’s this I see? Some snow has infiltrated the inner sanctum! And you know what? It’s not terrible. Just when you thought you knew what you liked, eh?
I try not to feel as if the Earth has shifted under my feet. This is me, focusing on the good news. Which is? Well, it looks as if I’ll have a good long while this, um, spring to explore the relative merits of ice and snow.
Your excellent photo collection perhaps suggests that perhaps Ottawa is becoming like Calgary….
“If you don’t like the weather wait a moment”
Jim R – Having lived in 4 prairie cities, I was surprised when I moved here to get weather coming at me from every direction. The great majority of Alberta and Saskatchewan weather comes from the West, I believe – that is, at least, the impression I formed over 50 years. Here, anything goes. 🙂