April 7 - 16, 2025: Only 0.03" rain, measured on April 8th, otherwise dry with some  breezy to windy days, overcast to sunny; dry. Hoses and sprinkler heads out of storage and well spigot connections checked--well switched on for yard and garden watering for the first time this year. Soil was hard packed and dry. Lawn mowers are out of storage for the first time to cut down spots with very tall grass. Tulips are up and flowering. Forsythia and crown imperial fritillaria are still in bloom. Trees are producing a lot of pollen and are 'green' (small leaves out). Neighbors tall ornamental grass plants are nearly dead from some winter weather conditions. Mackintosh apple tree in the back yard is blooming. Yellow delicious blooms are not out yet. Neighborhood quince and spiraea (bridal wreath) plants are blooming. Anna's hummingbirds still at the feeder, red-tailed hawk is circling the neighborhood each day--beautiful to watch! Little screech owls can be heard talking to each other each night. Water from the Boise River has been released to canals and the Boise valley irrigation system. Upper Boise River reservoirs are releasing a moderate amount of water to make space for later snowmelt. Snow is still on the ground along the Boise foothill ridgeline but is rapidly melting.