The calendar says it's still wintertime, but that's hard to remember in the 70-degree weather gracing Cedar Creek Lake these days. Signs of an early spring are everywhere. The grass is green, bedding flowers are blooming and backyard fruit trees are budding out. The newborn calves frolicking in the pastures around the lake don't know it could just as easily be bitter cold this time of year in East Texas. Best of all the lake is less than three feet low, which is a much higher level than anyone had predicted a few months ago before welcome, but unexpected heavy rain fell across the state. Those rains coupled with the mild winter will also be responsible for what is expected to be a bumper crop of wildflowers this year, according to botanists who say the wildflowers like bluebonnets and redbuds should be larger, healthier and bloom longer than usual. It will be a great spring for sightseeing and shooting pictures, they say. Conditions couldn't be better for enjoying the outdoors. The 10-day weather forecast includes highs in the 70s in the afternoons and more rain. It's a good time to work in the yard, fish, golf or do whatever else lake life affords. Of course, for everything good that the weather brings, there's usually a downside as well. The same weather conditions that foster great plant growth also create a comfortable environment for insects to thrive, according to entomologists. There's likely going to be lots of ants, fleas, termites, flies, mosquitos, roaches and other pests thriving as a result of the nearly frost-free winter. As spring progresses and summer rolls around, there probably will be some complaining going on by lake residents. But for now it's just real nice to enjoy the comfort of the weather and the beauty of nature. The pictures below illustrate some of the pretty sights to be seen all around Cedar Creek Lake.