Is Spring Sprung?

When does Spring begin in eastern Australia?  Specifically, I am thinking about Spring in the Blue Mountains of NSW - the jonquils began flowering before Autumn had ended, and the daffodils were in full flight half way through Winter, so they aren't valid indicators.  Some say that the first day of Spring here is the beginning of September, while others plump for the equinox.  My cherry trees seemed to think the equinox about right....

while Jack Frost wanted to argue the point.....

but, in this part of Australia, there is one sure sign that Winter has left the building, and that's when the firewood you were going to pick up for the BBQ decides it doesn't want to be collected.....

Although this garden is a kilometre above sea level, and there had been a nice frost at daybreak, by morning tea-time this little girl was out soaking up the sunshine.  At not quite a meter long, she is a nice specimen of a Highland Copperhead - venomous, but not aggressive unless badly treated.  In fact, they are considered one of the shy snakes of Australia, and I had only a few seconds to get photos before she was sliding towards a clump of shrubbery that offered shelter from Kookaburras and annoying paparazzi....

My wife says she didn't see any snake when she was picking up sticks in that same part of the garden only ten minutes earlier - was it not there, or did it succeed in pretending it wasn't?  In any event, I think we can declare Spring is sprung.