This morning at 5:20 it was 58 degrees F under mostly clear skies as I rolled Rhododendron down the driveway, destination: Meadowbrook Park. Wore my feather-light cycling jacket, that, with a bit of positive attitude based on the conviction that it would soon get warmer, kept me comfortable enough.
Was delighted to be rolling south on Race Street before sunrise, in the quiet, calm, pristine morning, all the more because the opportunity to do so has become rarer that in the past. Marveled at how pleasant it was to be riding in comfortable temperatures with good light.
Stopped a little way down Race Street at the stand of spruce trees to check for mushrooms, but there was no sign of them. This utter (visual at least, they certainly are there in some form, underground) absence is part of their mystique, part of the wonder of when, suddenly and abundantly, they do appear.
Crossed Windsor Road at my now-favorite, very responsive, traffic signal.
Rode straight to the rabbit-statue bridge, over which I coasted at high speed and had to (chose to, anyway) apply the brakes at the turn.
On the other side of the bridge saw a low blanket of fog resting over the landscape. 
Then turned back to get a view of Douglas and McCullough creeks, with the sun coming up behind them. 
Then back over the bridge and down the path where there were more good views of the sun rising over the misty prairie. 
Looked in the wet area a little way down the path for blue flag iris, in early bud last week. There they were, well into their bloom, 
a few close to the path, and the large patch farther away. 
Noticed that the area had been “managed” to allow reasonably easy passage from the path. Still, the ground was wet and was glad I’d worn closed shoes and Smart Wool socks.
Thought as I proceeded along that there still were no spiderwort to speak of, but just then, there they were. 
And to the left of this one was a Penstemon in bud.
It was the opening of the grand procession of the prairie bloom, and what a privilege it was to be there to witness it!
Rode on past lots of spiderwort, some receding golden Alexanders, and plenty though less dramatic blackberry blooms 
on the way toward the prairie viewing station. Stopped for a moment to listen to the song sparrows and to the red-winged blackbirds, which today seemed to say, “talk with me!”
Just about every patch of spiderwort beckoned to have its picture taken, but I resisted many of them. 
Was going to look over the prairie from the viewing station but saw what looked like an occupied sleeping bag and opted to pass today. Didn’t really sense danger about it, but you never know, and anyway didn’t want to disturb the person. Did stay close enough to get a photo of the lead plant, 
which seem to be spreading.
Watched one of the many red-winged blackbirds
a little while before moving on.
Had thought about riding on at least to Yankee Ridge, but still wanted to time to swim and was very satisfied with what this short ride had revealed. So headed back homeward along Windsor Road. At almost the farthest corner of the park saw Penstemon starting to bloom!
And now to follow their progress.
the leaves of which were beginning to emerge and take shape. Turned onto the unpaved path to check on the shooting stars. It took some searching to find these last blooms. 
Their seeds looked to be well along in development. Walked along the path a little way searching for the pink shooting stars, on the way seeing tree swallows interacting 
then spotting my first of this spring’s spiderwort. 
Caught a view of a well-defined shoot of compass plant
and finally found a couple lingering pink shooting stars. 
where the walnuts seemed to be doing fine, but lots of other trees, for whatever reason were not. Alas. 
Rode to the end of Meadowbrook through the grove of haws and crabs. 
But then more seemed to materialize. 
How wonderful to witness the reluctant, drawn out spring au vélo in the early morning!
Did not see waterfowl there but made a mental note to return and check again, Might have loved to ride all the way to St. Joe, but suspected my extremities would get cold and reduce the enjoyment of the ride, which is one reason I’ll welcome warmer weather when it gets here!
And apparently made it the rest of the way home.
Velo du Jour 