We've had an unusual winter and spring. A hard frost killed many of the seedlings and new leaves in late March. The result is that it's warm and there's green grass, but the landscape still looks like winter even in mid-April. While hiking through the Maramec State Park I was surprised to see no flowers, no birds or other animals, few insects and little greenery, but a surprising number of lizards and reptiles. It was a very strange journey.