Given Charleston’s mild versions of winter, I have little to complain about. After all, we need some occasional chilly temps so we can legitimately break out woolen layers for oyster roasts! But this winter seems to have dragged on, and the groundhog must have laughed smugly when he popped up last month, knowing spring was still weeks away.

The Boy and I took advantage of a recent springlike day, looking for signs of life on our “birds-and-turtles” walk around the neighborhood. We caught glimpses of color and wildlife and are reassured that spring will be here soon enough.