Project 365 – Day 80: First day of Spring

March 20 2012

Normally in Montreal, the first day of spring is around 3 degrees, The record for March 20 was previously 14 degrees, set way back in 1946…today we hit 23 degrees. Yesterday’s record of 20 degrees took the record away from 1986’s 12 degrees.

Either I just woke up from a comma and missed spring completely or she decided to give us a miss this year. Either way, I didn’t see or hear of anyone complaining today, except maybe those struggling up the steep staircase to the lookout on Mount Royal.

Enjoying the sun on top of Mount Royal

This time last year it was just 3 degrees and we were about to be hit with 10 cm of snow. It really is no wonder why Canadian’s love talking about the weather. Talking of snow, I did see they are forecasting mix of rain and snow on Saturday, so guess I should keep the boots out for a little while longer. Hope the guy in the following picture has done the same.

Sandals in the snow

It was good to see the ice cream seller was prepared for the heat wave at the Kondiaronk belvedere on Mount Royal.

Ice cream seller at the Kondiaronk belvedere on Mount Royal

While I was up at Mount Royal, I thought I may as well head over to Lac aux Castors. The lake is still partly frozen over and the tube slide is holding on for as long as possible until its inevitable demise…at this rate it will be gone tomorrow.

Still a hint of winter at Lac aux Castors tube slide

The seagulls seemed pretty happy with the sudden thaw and sight once again of a partly liquid Lac aux Castors… I guess the fish are less happy.

Seagull on an island of snow and ice

I spotted this guy who had found himself a nice green spot in the sun between some stubborn snow. Probably just as well he bought his chair as it’s pretty soggy in parts.

A perfect day for reading a book in the park

So it was only a week ago that I had come to Mount Royal looking for waterfalls…today I was in luck. The drainage channel near rue Peel entrance to the park was in full flow. Since I hadn’t got my tripod with me, I was lucky that a railing allowed me to take a relatively long exposure of 1.6 seconds.

Waterfall near Peel Street entrance to Mount Royal Park

Tomorrow the powers to be at the weather channel are predicting it to be another record smashing day with 26 degrees. So guess I’ll try and get some more people shots enjoying the un-seasonal heat.

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