The traditional symbols of Spring, blooming flowers, colorful butterflies and nesting birds, exist here just as they do elsewhere.
What is unique, however, are the backpackers who pass through Idyllwild while they journey on the 2,165 mile Pacific Crest trail between the borders of Mexico and Canada. They are greeted with welcome signs throughout the town.
Most will make a trip to the post office to pick up a care package and while they are there, they can add their comments in the trail registry book.
The hikers will see wildflowers such as these Lupines growing along the trail.
They will notice the Snowplant. The bright red plant stands out in the forest. It blooms in late Spring after the snows melt. Since it doesn't produce chlorophyll, it gets its nourishment from the "fungus roots" of Conifer trees so it grows under or very close to one of those trees.
Butterflies such as this Western Tiger Swallowtail are along the trails. I watched this one struggle against the blowing wind before it was finally able to land on this bush.
And while they are hiking, they will undoubtedly see all kinds of wildlife including a deer like this one who surprised me tonight.
Spring... What a great time to be outdoors!
