The Remnant Online

Study => Lessons From Nature => Topic started by: JimB on March 17, 2014, 05:52:25 PM

Title: Spring 2014
Post by: JimB on March 17, 2014, 05:52:25 PM
It's hard to talk about spring when there is still close to a foot of snow on the ground and maybe more on the way. However, about 1.5 weeks ago I stepped out of my car and heard a familiar sound but I couldn't place it first and then it dawned on me this is what I was hearing....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3QicOAiBXk

This to me is a sure sign that spring can't be awfully far away :)   These are a better indicator than Robins (in my opinion anyway). About the same time I spoke with my brother who lives about 10 hours south of me. He said he saw these in the air headed my direction. Another sign of spring if you ask me. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKNA82bcdWU



Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 18, 2014, 03:25:22 AM
Red-winged Blackbirds are generally the first migrant here, too, but with a foot and a half of snow last week, -2° (-8° down in the valley) last night, and no real warm up in sight, they are late, and I don't' expect to see any until next week.  My average first arrival date for them is Mar. 12.  One time they didn't show until the last week of March.  Completely unexpected was a pair of Wood Ducks last Wednesday, my earliest record for that species, in spite of one of the coldest winters on record.

Robins have been around all winter in pretty good numbers.  Sandhill Cranes just started breeding in the State within the past 20 years, and before that they were vagrants.  They start showing up in early April.

The only signs that spring is coming are Cardinals, Mourning Doves, and Titmice singing.  Apparently they are more affected by daylight than by temperature.

And Crocuses!  Usually I've found a few crocuses or snowdrops blooming by now; not this year.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: JimB on March 18, 2014, 05:14:24 PM
Well maybe the ones roosting in my neighbor's trees are headed to your neck of the country. There must have been a couple hundred of them. Not sure since I've never tried to estimate a flock of birds but a couple of trees were covered and singing up a storm. There is a large swampy area behind their house so maybe they will stick around.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: ejclark on March 18, 2014, 05:39:51 PM
These are the critters that tell us it's spring.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MIXNRks5U
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Mimi on March 19, 2014, 03:09:21 AM
 8) Love those little critters!

Here is some encouragement from Accuweather.

(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/650x366_03181446_hd22_zps7430292b.jpg)

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york-ny/10017/weather-forecast/349727



Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 19, 2014, 03:51:29 AM
You're using the term "encouragement" rather loosely, aren't you?  ;)

Back to single digits at night early next week for us.  I'll be very surprised if this March is not the coldest on record for our area.  But that is what we'd expect with global warming.  ::)
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Mimi on March 19, 2014, 04:08:20 AM
You're using the term "encouragement" rather loosely, aren't you?  ;)

Nope. Gotta have encouragement. We need to take the "warm-ish" weather when we can get it!  ;)

Quote
Back to single digits at night early next week for us. 

Hang on, Mr. Grouch!   ;D Here you are looking to next week when some cold returns. Are we promised tomorrow? No! We need to appreciate what we have today because it is a little sign that Spring is nigh. Away with this negativity! The frogs are singing and the Robins are returning!

Actually, one day until Spring!  8)
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: JimB on March 19, 2014, 04:09:50 AM
These are the critters that tell us it's spring.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MIXNRks5U

Ej, those would definitely be a sign of spring has arrived for us also. But I don't anticipate hearing those a while yet so for now I'll be satisfied with the Red Winged Black birds showing up.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: ejclark on March 19, 2014, 09:20:48 AM
We've been hearing the frogs here in central MO of and on for about a week.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 20, 2014, 03:04:04 AM
Don't rub it in.  ;D  We just got another 6" or so of snow overnight.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 20, 2014, 03:23:16 PM
Make that 9" at home; a foot at work.  :(
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Mimi on March 20, 2014, 04:22:09 PM
 :(
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: colporteur on March 20, 2014, 04:25:00 PM
Make that 9" at home; a foot at work.  :(

Be thankful you are getting moisture.   8)
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 20, 2014, 04:51:59 PM
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.  ;D  In the past year, we've had only 2 months of below normal precipitation:  last April, and last October.  If I could share it with Calif., I would.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: ejclark on March 20, 2014, 05:21:18 PM
A person would think that with all the pipelines for natural gas and other things, someone would have thought about pipelines for water. Places with abundance sharing with those less fortunate. Oh yea....... not much profit in it.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: JimB on March 20, 2014, 06:11:10 PM
Ej, they have thought about it. People in Arizona and I think even southern California have had their eyes on Lake Michigan for a long time now but it hasn't gotten anywhere (yet). If it gets bad enough I'm sure the idea will get re-visited.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Richard Myers on March 21, 2014, 11:20:40 AM
8) Love those little critters!

Here is some encouragement from Accuweather.

(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/TROPhotobucket/650x366_03181446_hd22_zps7430292b.jpg)

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york-ny/10017/weather-forecast/349727

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am not encouraged when I see "DRY" plastered on my area of the map.  My concern is where am I going to get water for my garden (my breakfast and dinner)?  I am aware of my friends who want to see the sun so that global warming may occur in their part of the world. So concerned am I, that I burned two large piles of pruning wood in hopes that some are right in saying that carbon dioxide will help you folks out some. Let me know if you notice any difference in temps.  I can burn a few more piles if necessary.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: colporteur on March 21, 2014, 02:10:26 PM
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.  ;D  In the past year, we've had only 2 months of below normal precipitation:  last April, and last October.  If I could share it with Calif., I would.

It will soak in. It will run off.   ;D :P
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: JimB on March 21, 2014, 02:49:59 PM
I can burn a few more piles if necessary.

You might want to try it again. I think it may have worked since we actually got into the 40's today. However, we starting tomorrow we have 20's and teens in our forecast. So if you have any more brush piles don't refrain yourself.
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Mimi on March 21, 2014, 03:06:13 PM
I am sorry my encouragement fell on deaf ears. Wally was not happy because cold weather is coming again next week. Richard was not happy because his state is dry as a bone. Neither accepted my encouragement. That is discouraging.  ???

I'll tell you who is happy - we in the middle who are sick at heart of winter and are presently relishing the warm weather.

I planted 75 purple onion plants today. In April, I will plant another 75 Walla Walla onions. Spring is here and we are happy and exceedingly encouraged!
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 21, 2014, 04:23:09 PM



So concerned am I, that I burned two large piles of pruning wood in hopes that some are right in saying that carbon dioxide will help you folks out some. Let me know if you notice any difference in temps.  I can burn a few more piles if necessary.

I've done my share, as well.  In only one other winter have I burned so much wood.  The wood shed with good wood is empty.  I will start burning "junk wood" next week.

I've heard rumors of an el nino developing some time this year.  That usually translates into a wet winter for Calif., and a mild winter for New England.  I can only hope . . . .
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Richard Myers on March 21, 2014, 07:16:09 PM
We are happy that you are happy, dear sister! Wally and I are not discouraged.  It is  sign that our prayers are being answered. Jesus is coming soon!!!   We got a few good storms, so at least we have some water!  We are content in all situations!! Jesus loves us and cares for us. He will provide!!
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Wally on March 24, 2014, 03:00:03 AM
Ah, yes, spring, with flowers blooming and birds singing, with 2 1/2 feet of snow on the ground and temperature at -1° and falling . . . .

I've lived here nearly 30 years, and I've never seen it go below 0° this late in the season.  Global warming, of course.  ::)

I've usually seen my first crocuses by now--nope.  Killdeer are usually back in the open patches by now--nope.  Ducks usually begin pairing off and moving into the small streams as they open up--nope.

I've had to resort to burning "junk" firewood, since virtually all of the good stuff is gone.

Oh, yeah, this thread was supposed to be about spring.  Sorry.  ;D
Title: Re: Spring 2014
Post by: Cop on March 26, 2014, 09:48:07 AM
All of you Yankees are sure having fun in all that snow, I guess. ;D  For the last 5 or 6 weeks down here we've had all the fruit trees, Redbud trees, Dogwoods, and others covered with blooms. The pastures and hills are covered with Indian Paintbrushes, Bluebonnets and other flowers. Our garden has sprouted and, thanks to the Lord, every thing in it is looking good. Now if we continue to get rain this year, we'll have a good harvest.