Groundhog Day 2016

I saw my first groundhog of the year yesterday afternoon. In the past, I did not see my first one until late March or early April, but the past few weeks have been so mild that they are ahead of schedule.

I expect to see my first grounder of the year real soon now, too!

Groundhog Day 2015

As far as I am concerned, March 31, 2015 was my Groundhog Day because I saw my first groundhog of the year yesterday (and I saw three more today).

The property around my workplace is an old apple orchard and groundhogs have the run of the place during the warm weather, but until yesterday, they were out of sight. That is understandable considering that snow covered most of the grounds until last week.

And although it snowed last night, spring is in the air and the Red Sox play on Monday!

Groundhog Day

I saw my first groundhog of the year today.

The property around my workplace is an old apple orchard and groundhogs have the run of the place during the warm weather, but until today, they were out of sight. Typically, I see my first one during the last week of March, but considering the unusual weather around here this year, the groundhogs probably decided to hibernate for an extra week.

I saw only two today, but I expect their friends and family will be up and around in another day or two.

Springing

Saw my first groundhog of the year today (see photo) during my daily walk around the business park here in Wallingford where I work.

Also, the daily Waterbury rag reported yesterday that black bear #49 is out and about in Wolcott, so I took in my bird feeder and suet cage last night to avoid any close encounters between #49 and The Pies.

By the way, there still is some snow in my yard.

Surfin’: Spring Can’t Come Quick Enough

This week, Surfin’ visits websites with warmer weather in mind.

Snow IX

Good news is that the groundhog did not see his shadow.

Bad news is that it snowed, sleeted, and freezing rained. The snow was compressed by the sleet and freezing rain by the time I got to measure it, so I estimate that we received about two inches before it turned into a hard concrete-like crust. So the total snowfall is now 62 inches on Compounce Mountain so far this winter.

This is the worst winter in my lifetime snow-wise and we still have over six weeks to go.

Snow VIII

Three more inches of snow fell today for a grand total of 60 inches on Compounce Mountain so far this winter.

I hope that the groundhog does not see his shadow tomorrow!

groundhog day

Saw my first groundhog of the year today.

The property around my workplace is an old apple orchard and groundhogs have the run of the place during the warm weather, but until today, they were hibernating.

I saw only one today, but I expect his friends and family will be up and around in another day or two.

The photo above was taken with my new Canon PowerShot SD940 IS. I was about 100 feet away from the groundhog when I took the photo with the camera's built-in zoom lens set to maximum zoom. Not bad!