I was out looking from 5.30am today. Mars was just past the the zenith, Saturn was near the Moon and Jupiter had set.
Viewing Mars with my Tak FC100D (148x), a pole cap was obvious, as was a very-dark green ring just below it. Again, obviously vegetation growing after receiving water from the melting Pole Cap.
Funny now, but I can easily see how these conclusions were once reached.
I did not see much else, just the dusty red disc of the planet. Which had me wondering if I should be using filters, or if there a dust storm happening on Mars?
I let my EQ5 track Mars into the daylight and had my last look at 6.55am. The view then was not better or worse than when the sky was dark.