Spring is one of my favorite seasons. There are so many amazing things about this season. The birds begin to chirp early in the morning as the yellow and orange sun begins to rise. Almost overnight the trees go from a bare brown to an excited green. Here are my top 11 favorite things about spring.

1. The flowers

Nothing brings more of a smile to my face than seeing the yellows, purples, and pinks of the flowers begin to emerge from the ground. The world goes from a dull gray of winter to the bright colors of spring.

2. The birds

I always know spring has come when I wake up to the tweeting of the birds. They slowly come out of their winter fog and into a happiness. The birds begin to sing more, which is the song of spring.

3. The warm weather

After a cold winter that is filled with snow and ice, the warm 50-70 degrees of spring is welcomed with open arms. Being able to finally walk outside with a light jacket and feel the approach of summer is amazing.

4. The sun

After months of only seeing clouds, the first glimpse of the sun at the beginning of spring brings elation. Feeling those first few spring sun rays on your face and being able to dig out the sun glasses is another way of knowing that the great season of spring has finally arrived.

5. Green

Spring is a season of green. The grass is finally seen after a winter under the snow; the buds on the trees and bushes are green, as are the stems of the blooming flowers.

6. Rain

Rain is the relaxing and refreshing aspect of spring. The rain does all the work. Those 'April showers' supply the colorful spectrum of flowers, and it keeps the grass green. It brings the animals out of the caves and boroughs, and it is helpful in the aid of sleep at night.

7. The baby animals

Spring is a time of rebirth. Spring has officially arrived when the local doe has her fawns, which take their first tentative steps in the warm spring air. Finding a nest with bird eggs and the baby rabbits exploring your backyard for the very first time show signs of spring.

8. Becoming more active outdoors

Spring draws people outside after a long, cold winter. That first walk along the local trails is my favorite part of spring: seeing other people out walking dogs and riding bikes. The outdoor sports begin again as baseball, softball and runners take to the field.

9. The trees

Seeing the trees brown, gray and bare all winter is dull. Once spring arrives the buds begin to form again (some trees even flower for a week) before turning their rightful color.

10. The thunderstorms

Some people may not like thunderstorms, but these storms welcome the season of rebirth. The rains fall hard, allowing for the ground to become wet, and the plants drink up the water. Seeing the lightning once again dance across the sky after dark is a way of knowing that spring has arrived.

11. The first time mowing the lawn

Mowing the lawn is my favorite chore to do. Spring has come after the rains and warm weather allow for the grass to grow, which cues the motor of lawn mower for the first time of the season.