The Big Thaw...

...has started, although it's not too terribly noticable from this angle. The rocks under the observation platform are starting to peek through the ice, & the sand is starting to show in some places along the edge of the water. There's a big open channel now from the lake to the inlet, & judging by the number of ducks that were swimming in the inlet, they're pretty excited about it opening up too! There's still a big shelf of ice & snow (I'm standing on it) over much of the beach, & the observation platform itself is still unsafe out toward the edge, as the ice is still thickly coating it....but it seems that Mother Nature has finally taken pity on us & is starting to work her magic!    :))