Astronomical winter ends today, but even though there is no snow on the ground, it doesn’t mean there won’t be more snow before winter is truly over. Especially since the robins aren’t back yet and the saying is that it’s not officially spring until “it has snowed on the Robins’ tail three times.” I think this old milkhouse would prefer not getting snowed on again three more times as it is probably as ready for spring as I am.
Astronomical End of Winter
Apparently the Irish were kicking their heels up last night and spilling their green beer as the sky was a moving green color. One benefit of all those cold nights walking out to check on the sheep during lambing time was that you were treated to the Aurora Borealis and you could watch the changing colors of blue and green light racing back and forth across the sky and sometimes even a bloody red color. The Aurora Borealis were out last night but the display in my area weren’t too dramatic or fast moving like some of the times so I didn’t drive to a lake shore for a pretty scene, especially since it was after midnight and below freezing so the end of my driveway was as far as I went.
St. Paddy’s Aurora Borealis
There might not be snow today, but no green for the Irish either so St. Patrick’s Day needs to be moved into spring instead of during the winter months.
Forest Flora
Critters and humans enjoyed the taste of spring the past week and we won’t like the return to normal temperatures. A pair of geese came to my pond yesterday and the seven kittens who were born on one of the coldest days in February (and needed a heat lamp to keep them from freezing) enjoyed the warm sunshine. But they better grow up fast as the chipmunk was on my porch this morning since he knows my cat died last year and feels safe to dig in my flower pots.
Box Full of Kittens
My weather predicting rodent says that snow has melted as he had been on top of rocks and stumps scouting this morning. It is the first appearance of the chipmunks and a sign spring is coming. But he kept looking towards my porch as I think he wants me to get my flower and garden pots out so he can dig the dirt out and uproot my flowers and eat my garden seeds.
Chipmunk Sees No Snow
In the late 1800s, towns could become a bit wild when Saturday evening came and the work week ended for many. Old logging towns became rowdy when brawling lumberjacks hit the town with their winter pay after months in the woods to spend it in local saloons and dance halls.
The town of Port Wing in northern Wisconsin was a sawmill town surrounded by a dozen logging camps so the local constable was kept busy when hundreds of lumberjacks hit the town. In 1896, this jail house was built with double walls of two inch solid white oak planking, one laid horizontally and one vertically; with wrought iron doors, windows and half inch thick hinges. It was used until the 1930’s.
Port Wing Old Town Jail
Old Man Winter might be losing his grip as only patches of snow remain, but I’m sure he will try to take a few more bites before spring arrives.
Old Man Winter
The small streams are flowing with the melting snow and other frozen rivers are beginning to melt and eventually people will enjoy the rivers on a warm summer day again.
Falls at Willow River
A short walk through the woods yesterday evening didn’t reveal any spring wildflowers, but then there was a thin covering of snow left and the ground just beginning to soften up so the only ‘wildflower’ I found was some bull thistle blossoms past their prime.
Dry Bull Thistle Blossom
The sun set last night on the Lake Superior ice cave season as they closed last evening after only ten days due to the warming temperatures and predicted winds which will make the ice pack unstable. And while it might have been a short season for the ice caves, it has been a long winter so I don’t mind the warm up.
Sun Setting on the Season
