With much of Finland's population planted around gulf coasts and the country's 180,000 lakes, the thaw brings an added dimension. One welcome sign of the season is the Helsinki boat show each February. The color is so different, even if there has not been ice. The first flowers are yellow coltsfoots and anemones. It takes only a short time and birches get leaves, light green, but very soon the leaves grow and are green.
Many bushes begin to blossom.
The smell is marvelous. Then birds of passage begin to move to Finland. Hernesaho marks the approach of summer with the sight and song of birds. Half a month from chaffinch. A little from wagtail.