What does Punxsutawney Phil know?

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil says about his shadow, meteorological spring begins on March 1. That’s 27 days from now. Astronomical spring begins on Spring Equinox (March 20), 46  days away. The latter is slightly more than 6 weeks from now, the former not quite four weeks. It’ll be interesting to see what the actual weather does to bring about loss of snow cover and ice out. Calendars are mathematical. Weather is organic and, lately, temperatures are roller coasterish. Sometime between now and summer solstice we should see whatever passes for spring in our North Country.

male cardinal on February snow

Photo by J. Harrington

We’ve seen few cardinals at the feeders this winter, perhaps because they don’t like the new “squirrel-proof” feeder, which is the only one we’ve been hanging for the past few months. Today an older style has been  returned to service. We’ll keep our eyes open and see if we can tell if the squirrels or the cardinals return first [or someone else entirely].

Fun on Groundhog Day

There are shadows you make in the sunshine,
There are shadows you make by the lamp,
There are shadows that lurk in the forest
While you tell creepy stories at camp.

There are shadows that help you with puppets,
And shadows; you make just for play,
But the shadow that’s famous is Groundhog’s,
When he tells whether winter’s to stay.

Let’s go out very early this morning
And watch for his shadow, my son;
It may not be at all scientific,
But you’ve got to admit that it’s fun!

Barbara Walker

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