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View Full Version : Happy Ground Hog day!, or not?



woodsy
02-02-2007, 16:00
Well the PA Groundhog did NOT see its shadow today at the official time.
This supposedly means an early spring as opposed to an extended winter or something like that which is ok with me cause I am getting tired of stoking the woodstove(its all I have). I did see my shadow for a brief period today but not at the official time:confused: . This leads me to believe? that the rest of the winter is going to be a regular ol winter
Anyone believe in this Groundhog hockus pockus and did you see your shadowthis morning?

Boat Drinks
02-02-2007, 16:40
No shadow here in the Sunshine state.....:sun

Nightwalker
02-02-2007, 17:13
Anyone believe in this Groundhog hocus-pocus and did you see your shadow this morning?

It's an old tale with some truth. If the sky is clear this time of year, the chances are higher that we're still in the cold, mostly dry part of Winter. If the sky is cloudy, we're more likely to be starting the Spring wet season early. It's not always true, but it's not bad for an old legend.

So: lots of clouds and rain in early February tends to mean that Spring is brewing; clear and cold mean that we're still in "real" Winter.

RAT
02-02-2007, 20:30
hey coralrives, I seen where ya`ll had some fatal weather there today, hope ya made it thru ok. Was nasty with snow and sleet here so the groundhog didnt even poke his nose out of his hole. I dont trust that PA one anyways, lol.

RAT

neo
02-02-2007, 20:34
:D it's also my ex-wife birthday:cool: neo

FanaticFringer
02-02-2007, 23:07
I did see a groundhog in a hammock today.:D
He looked mighty comfy.

emerald
02-02-2007, 23:14
This Pennsylvania resident anticipates a vernal equinox on March 21 with spring commencing immediately thereafter.:sun

woodsy
02-02-2007, 23:25
This Pennsylvania resident anticipates a vernal equinox on March 21 with spring commencing immediately thereafter.:sun
I was hoping to hear a response from a PA resident about this groundhog business. I'm still not convinced this grounhog tale is any more accurate than The Farmers Almanac.:rolleyes:

STEVEM
02-02-2007, 23:49
I was hoping to hear a response from a PA resident about this groundhog business. I'm still not convinced this grounhog tale is any more accurate than The Farmers Almanac.:rolleyes:

Too many rocks in PA, They all live in my backyard here in NJ where my wife feeds them cookies. They show their appreciation by digging holes everywhere and eating my garden.

Is there a way to submit a secret ingredient suggestion to "Iron Chef America"?

emerald
02-03-2007, 00:29
Too many rocks in PA, They all live in my backyard here in NJ where my wife feeds them cookies. They show their appreciation by digging holes everywhere and eating my garden.

Groundhogs aren't endemic to New Jersey and they are indeed found in Penns Woods.:rolleyes: They just don't care much for hiking and prefer living in close proximity to their preferred foods, so as to not need to carry it on their backs. They dig easy living like most folks.

Call me crazy, but I like living next a garden too. :-? Now, if only I could find someone to plant it and weed it for me. Any takers?

Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-03-2007, 00:42
I have several sets of very accurate mourning doves. When my moruning doves start ah...um... getting REALLY friendly with each other, spring will be here in eight weeks. I saw my first set of doves that Really needed to get a room this morning. :o

Bravo
02-03-2007, 00:48
I got 20 years in PA saying that Groundhog is FULL OF *****!!!:)

RAT
02-03-2007, 00:49
Interesting theory FD, and what part of the world do you live in ?


RAT

Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-03-2007, 01:20
I'm between Knoxville and the southwestern corner of the GSMNP.

Dances with Mice
02-03-2007, 03:23
...click on the little blue arrow above, beside my name... To learn the undeniable link between sports juggling, the Masonic lodge, and now even Groundhog Day (http://www.atlantajugglers.org/festivals/gh07.htm).

Nothing is safe anymore.

RAT
02-03-2007, 03:26
I'm between Knoxville and the southwestern corner of the GSMNP.

Well thats just about my backyard then.

RAT (goes to look for mourning doves doin` their thing)

woodsy
02-03-2007, 09:31
08:11 AM Fri Feb 2nd
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/comments/2007/020208.jpg (javascript:MWOshowImage('2007/020208-lg.jpg',900,600))
Our guests at dawn...
Ground hog day on the summit of Mount Washington is always an important holiday for our resident folklore forecaster, Nin the cat. But this year seemed to take on a more resounding importance, as I’m sure many of you will take issue with the ‘six MORE weeks of winter’ clause. And Nin, seemingly sensing the pressure, just didn’t come through for us this morning. He got up to the door, took one look at the icy landscape beyond his lair, and went back to bed. And we’re in no position to force this old man, so we’re left with a no decision.


Groundhogs, Doves, and now Cats! Any more myths, legends or tales?

STEVEM
02-03-2007, 10:04
08:11 AM Fri Feb 2nd
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/comments/2007/020208.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:MWOshowImage('2007/020208-lg.jpg',900,600))
Our guests at dawn...
Ground hog day on the summit of Mount Washington is always an important holiday for our resident folklore forecaster, Nin the cat. But this year seemed to take on a more resounding importance, as I’m sure many of you will take issue with the ‘six MORE weeks of winter’ clause. And Nin, seemingly sensing the pressure, just didn’t come through for us this morning. He got up to the door, took one look at the icy landscape beyond his lair, and went back to bed. And we’re in no position to force this old man, so we’re left with a no decision.


Groundhogs, Doves, and now Cats! Any more myths, legends or tales?

An observation I have made over many years here in northwest NJ is the return of the Red Winged Blackbirds. Around March 1st every year give or take just a few days they return. You wake up one morning and they're everywhere, not 1 or 2, but hundreds. They hang around for a few weeks and empty the feeders as fast as you can fill them, then move to the marshes where they nest. For me these birds are a reliable signal that the worst of Winter is behind us.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/red-winged_blackbird.htm

emerald
02-03-2007, 10:09
I got 20 years in PA saying that Groundhog is FULL OF *****!!!:)

I'll refrain from asking why you were doing time here! :-? Perhaps instead of consulting Punxsutawney Phil, you should have conferred with The Weasel?

Next time, you may want to see your local mammalogist who can refer you to the proper specialist.;)

emerald
02-03-2007, 10:14
For me these birds [red-wing blackbirds] are a reliable signal that the worst of winter is behind us.

An avid birder, my high school biology teacher told me the same many years ago. When RWBs arrive, spring is here to stay.:D

Stonewall
02-03-2007, 10:43
I got 20 years in PA saying that Groundhog is FULL OF *****!!!:)

I second that opinion!

emerald
02-03-2007, 10:48
An avid birder, my high school biology teacher told me the same many years ago. When RWBs arrive, spring is here to stay.:D

I retract my earlier comment. Mr. Ringler thought the common grackle (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/COMGRA/), a closely-related species, the truest sign that spring has arrived in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

emerald
02-03-2007, 11:02
I second that opinion!

When I read Bravo's post again, I wondered if he meant he got 20 for slandering Punxsutawney Phil. You may want to retract your comment, now, while you still can.:D

emerald
02-03-2007, 11:26
Those who wish to know more about such things, click on the link http://www.padutchculture.com/Groundhog.html.

emerald
02-03-2007, 11:45
Go here (http://www.kutztownfestival.com/index.shtml) for information on the premier Pennsylvania German cultural event, held at Kutztown, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

emerald
02-03-2007, 12:04
For additional information related to Pennsylvania German culture and the contributions of this group to what we now know as the USA, go PGS's home page (http://www.pgs.org/default.asp) where there are even more links.

A.T. hikers in Lebanon, Berks and Lehigh Counties of Pennsylvania may still hear spoken "Pennsylvania Dutch" or see horse-drawn buggies or draft animals working fields although this is now less common than years ago.

neo
02-03-2007, 22:19
:D its also my ex-wife's birthday:cool: neo

Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-03-2007, 22:25
I retract my earlier comment. Mr. Ringler thought the common grackle (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/COMGRA/), a closely-related species, the truest sign that spring has arrived in Berks County, Pennsylvania.My backyard was full of common grackles yesterday.

emerald
02-03-2007, 22:38
My backyard was full of common grackles yesterday.

Mine has 2 inches of snow--no grackles yet. I don't expect they will have the gumption to move on up here anytime soon.

When do hepaticas bloom in your area? I would think not for another month at least.

emerald
02-03-2007, 22:47
:D its also my ex-wife's birthday:cool: neo

Hello, neo. Did Santa bring you a new tent?:rolleyes: Just kidding. What signs to you deem to indicate spring has arrived apart from day length and the date indicated by your calendar?

woodsy
02-04-2007, 09:40
My feathered friends let me know when spring has arrived. They are the American Woodcock, Eastern Bluebird, Robins, and Grackles of course. All arriving around April Fools Day. And some years they find out that they have come too early!

Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-04-2007, 10:00
When do hepaticas bloom in your area? I would think not for another month at least.In the valley, about March 1 to March 15 - later in the hills.

4eyedbuzzard
02-04-2007, 10:15
I know it's really spring when the highway dept starts to permanently fix the potholes caused by the frost heaves. Those guys never do any really hard work twice.

4eyedbuzzard
02-04-2007, 10:34
I am worried about Punxsutawney Phil. The problem is that the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle http://www.groundhog.org/innercircle/ has no female members. I cannot imagine this is due only to women being more sensible than men, as I have met many women who have joined similar "questionable groups" (such as NOW) over the years.:rolleyes: But I digress.

I am concerned that there may be legal action due to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle consisting only of male members. It is but a matter of time until Martha Burk http://www.marthaburk.org/ turns her attention from Augusta National Golf Club to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. I would encourage the Club to take whatever steps necessary to thwart any resulting negative publicity and turning their hallowed event into a media circus sideshow. Some might find the admission of female members to be justifiable, and while there are certainly good arguments to support doing so, the slippery slope syndrome is definitely in play - there could be unforseen catastrophic consequences.:eek:

Punxsutawney Phyllis just doesn't have the same ring.:D

STEVEM
02-04-2007, 11:18
It took me a while, but I found it. We should move away from all this amateur speculation relative to groundhogs and seek the input of an expert. See page #3, posts #58 and 60. Jack, please enlighten us.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18858

emerald
02-04-2007, 12:31
My feathered friends let me know when spring has arrived. They are the American Woodcock, Eastern Bluebird, Robins, and Grackles of course. All arriving around April Fools Day. And some years they find out that they have come too early!

I have a wonderful book in my possession called A Century of Birdlife in Berks County Pennsylvania. It lists the Pennsylvania German names for some of your friends. Probably, those who used this launguage had no need for naming the the rarer species.

The robin overwinters with us here in sheltered areas where small fruits are available. The Pennsylvania German name for the robin is die Amsel. Amsel is actually the German name for another bird.

The bluebird called der Blovoggel by Pennsylvania Germans was nearly extirpated from eastern Pennsylvania by 1960. An effort to repopulate this area by erecting nesting boxes has resulted in a remarkable increase in their numbers. There are now more bluebirds here than at any point since such records have been kept. It is seen here but in small numbers in winter.

I'll try to remember to add a few lines about your other friends later.;)

emerald
02-04-2007, 12:42
I accessed Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's website this morning. Couldn't do so at all yesterday when I tried. I guess the hoopla has subsided once again and folks will allow Phil to return to his slumber.