On March 20, 2009, at precisely 7:44 A.M. EDT (March 20, 11:44 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth's equator. This moment is known as the vernal (Spring) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Translated literally, equinox means "equal night." Because the sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world during the equinoxes. This brief but monumental moment owes it's significance to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth's axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun's rays most directly in the summer.

That being said, I've had enough of winter for one year and the Snowdrops tell me it's Spring!

Photos of the Herring Fishery 2009 are contained in a sub gallery here.