Things are blooming. I’m not sure what these flowers are, but they are growing along the banking near the pond and just began blooming this week. Azaleas that are in protected areas are also beginning to bloom.
The yellow in the pond is pollen! It has been coating everything for the last two or three weeks. I think it is likely pine pollen.
Even without the above evidence, I would be able to hear that it is spring. The birds have been chirping their “spring is here” song for a couple of weeks now.