SNAPPED: Spring Has Sprung! Ducks take the plunge at Swaner Nature Preserve

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Happy official first day of spring, Park City! The vernal equinox has arrived, and while the mountains are still dusted with snow, signs of the changing season are popping up—especially at Swaner Nature Preserve in Kimball Junction.

If you take a stroll along the trails in Newpark today, you might spot ducks paddling happily in the newly thawed ponds. These feathered locals seem to know what we do—longer days and warmer weather are on the way!

For those curious about the science behind the season, today is one of only two days a year when the sun shines equally on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In fact, at noon along the equator, the sun will be directly overhead. The word “equinox” itself comes from Latin, meaning equal night, since day and night are nearly the same length today.

The first day of spring has been celebrated for centuries around the world. In Iran, Nowruz marks the Persian New Year, while in Mexico, crowds gather at Chichen Itza to see a serpent-shaped shadow slither down the steps of El Castillo. Here in Park City, we mark the occasion with ducks, sunshine, and (hopefully) some late-season ski turns.

So whether you’re watching the waterfowl, hitting the slopes, or just soaking up the sunshine, enjoy the first taste of spring. Warmer days are ahead!

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