Usually by this time in March, flowering trees in Naperville are blooming with colorful brilliance and other native varieties are turning green. But this year most trees in local parks and along the parkways remain as bare as in mid-winter such as this white birch, glistening under the clear blue sky on Friday as many residents headed south for the sun and warmer temperatures.
Last March, our cameras photographed budding new leaves covering the branches throughout our neighborhood, providing a record of dramatic, natural outdoor sights of spring along River Road.
Though the spring equinox arrived just as expected on March 20, signs of springtime have shifted for 2013 and will be arriving later than usual. Temperatures all week have been below or hovering just above freezing. In fact, on March 23, local residents awakened to a light dusting snow that had pretty much melted by 10AM.
Usually, feeding birds in Illinois is a good habit in the dead of winter, but with the slow arrival of spring, keeping fresh water dishes and backyard feeders filled with thistle for the many species of finches, junkos and chickadees will be beneficial to the flocks this year.
Until warm temperatures return, spring’s arrival will be delayed. Only when that happens will the buds on branches swell and burst and tiny leaves start to appear.
Still, one advantage of completely bare trees is the opportunity to look even higher up into the sky and watch the birds migrate.
For instance, March 24 must have been a good day for bird migration. Naperville resident Chuck Koch sent photos, mentioning he’d heard “several flocks of strange sounding, high flying ‘geese’ only to realize that they were Sandhill Cranes migrating north.”
Koch also sent this shot, part of a flock of turkey vultures perched in his neighbor’s trees in the East Highlands.
Look carefully, you’ll see that some trees have just started to sprout foliage in recent days. This year spring finally will arrive after Easter when vacationing residents return from spring break.
Find plenty that’s new in Naperville every season!
Meanwhile, Naperville’s Riverwalk, local parks, bike trails and forest preserves— as well as more than 260 eateries for a lunch break —create a great place to explore whether you live here year-round or just want to come for a visit.
Other attractions such as Naper Settlement, Naperville Art Gallery, North Central College, the DuPage Children’s Museum, historic Fifth Avenue Station, CityGate Centre with the Hotel Arista, as well as more than 100 shops and restaurants throughout downtown Naperville, offer many reasons every season to stay overnight in one of Naperville’s hotels.
Thanks to Chuck Koch for the two photos of birds in migration.