BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Becca72
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 11:10 AM

The robins are here!! I saw about a half dozen of the red-breasted little buggers this morning. Of course, we are supposed to get more S#@% this weekend, too...

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 11:19 AM

For winter's rains and ruins are over,
And all the season of snows and sins;
The days dividing lover and lover,
The light that loses, the night that wins;
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten,
And in green underwood and cover
Blossom by blossom the spring begins.

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909)

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 08:12 PM

I've mowed the front yard twice already. I ran out of gas and had to filler-up (that set me back!) for the season and will mow the side yard this evening and the back tomorrow. If we get rains like last year this is a really great exercise routine. Front yard twice a week, back yard twice a week, staggering the days and it's four 45 minute workouts. Add another hour if I trim the entire thing.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 09:52 PM

Maggie, that'll do. I can't even see GREEN yet!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 10:52 AM

We are beginning to see hope again as the snow very gradually melts. And my husband saw a robin this morning, but blimey who knows how it's finding any food....

I've been wandering around mumbling "Always winter, but never Christmas..."

~d

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 01:19 PM

LOL {{{black walnut}}}

Our crocus started blooming this week and the daffs are half up, the iris have sent up tiny pointed shoots. I was pointing out the crocus to Morgan as he'd stepped on one. I explained to him how they come up every year and are too delicate to pick. He squatted down, cupped his hands around one and began to stroke it. I asked him what he was doing..."petting it, mama!" He then told it he was sorry for stepping on it and how pretty it was. Talk about melting my heart!

It's still a bit chilly to spend much time out, but there are promises of what's to come.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 02:45 PM

Oh my!!! So very sweet, and thoughtful, and connected to the earth.... thanks for sharing that, Kat.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 07:27 PM

Oh, what a sweetie, kat!

My neighbour, originally from England, and I had ourselves a daytrip to the city for shopping today. The wind was wicked strong and cold, there's hard snow on the ground and no sign of green anywhere - unless you count spruce trees.

We were both moaning about the heartlessness of the English - her sisters and other rels telling her all about the daffodils and green grass, and me sympathising with tales of the outrageous Springy things being told of here (from other places, too, but we were blaming just the English today).

We're going to wait until October and tell you all how gorgeous our autumn is, what with the great swathes of red and orange and yellow, the sunny blue skies, the warm temperate afternoons...

That'll larn yez!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Janie
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:44 AM

We've got lots of March winds here, and more rain than we have had in a long time - though still below normal. The purple deadnettle, wild garlic and wild onions need mowing, but the prolonged drought has clearly injured or killed even the bermuda grass.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:54 AM

Mowing, already? I wish I had something that grew well enough to be mowed. Maybe this year, we'll be able to get the irrigation pump going and a bit more water, though I feel guilty about using too much water.

Bee and bw, thanks...he did it again today when he knocked one over. He tried to prop it back up by cupping it. I saved the day by showing him how to use a stick to help it stand tall. He thinks I am wonderful and know magical things.:-)

Bee, I shall be envious when you tell us of your beautiful autumn; I remember New England then..it was gorgeous.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Metchosin
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:06 AM

A pair of robins are nesting again in my woodshed and the chickadees were at the bird feeder for the first time since last fall. Don't know where they went. I thought they hung around all winter, but for some reason or other they weren't very interested in what I had to offer. Was up just before dawn the other morning and the chorus of birds was almost deafening. Despite the cool blustery wind today, Spring has definitely arrived here in the Pacific Northwest.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:59 AM

Awwww, Kat!

Metch. No deafening chorus of birds here. Just the chatter from their beaks. "Singing"? No, not even the Kiki Birds.

But, it is going to warm up today. So the Good Friday storm can start toninght... snow, to sleet, to freezing rain tomorrow and back to snow Friday.

One "early" Easter when I was a lad, snow started on Thursday eve and stopped on Sunday morn. I used snowshoes to get to the front of the house to shovel so we could see out the front room window. Hmmm, my snowshoes are out in the garage.

Our sidewalks are ice... uneven treacherous ice as much as a foot deep in spots... the city ran out of salt weeks ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 09:01 AM

Gnu... Kiki birds?

At least the lake has stayed open, and I keep reminding myself that the very latest, according to my stack of old marked up calendars, that the peepers have started singing here was April 17, and the earliest was April 12. Not so long now.

But the cats are getting bored from wanting to be warm indoors too much, and finding new and interesting things to do. Tommy has learned that if he squashes the spacebar/alt/shift/ctrl down with his paw, things appear on the monitor. If you see really odd messages (odder than usual) under my nick, it means the little bugger has mastered typing. Snowball is more direct. If I am not-patting-him while using the computer, the act of him standing up off my lap, turning round, and setting his fluffy white arse down in the middle of the keyboard will certainly get my attention.
tyui
fghjk
cvbnm
is his most common message.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:23 AM

The daffodils are mostly finished, as is the Japanese flowering quince. The local redbuds are going full tilt; the ones that came from a nursery are a little slower to bloom. Mine is just beginning to open.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:00 AM

Here in Maine we had some flowers poking their heads up this week. But now they're getting buried under five inches of snow! Serves 'em right! There's still a day left of winter.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:14 AM

Bee..LOL...that'll learn ya not to pay attention to the boys!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Metchosin
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:42 PM

If I could I would send you a warm westerly wind, gnu....which does not mean I am planning to fart in your general direction, henglish person.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:22 PM

Bee... you know... the ones that have that haunting cry... Keeee... Keeee... KeeeeRISTE IT'S COLD!!

I was just looking at me mum's flower bed next to the basement wall on the south side of the house. The tulips (and sommat else as yet unidentified) are breaking through. Some are up an inch. So, you Maineacs send that snow up here pronto, eh! I don't wanna have to chop down through the ice to get snow to cover them.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:24 PM

So much for Spring....it's feckin' snowing AGAIN!

Gnu, your wish is my command....here it comes :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 03:58 PM

The Bradford pears, one early pear in my back yard, and the tulip trees are blooming. The redbuds will be along any day now.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: maeve
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:09 PM

As Becca said, it's snowing again. Our Spring at the moment consists of branches brought in for forcing, and rows of potted bulbs on the cellar shelves. I brought the first of them up this week, and now we have pots of snowdrops, yellow crocus, and delicate purple iris blooming and ready to sell.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:42 PM

I found pussywillows today. yay!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Janie
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:10 PM

About when is the best time to visit Maine and environs to witness those lovely meadows of lupine and other spring meadow flowers, etc?

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:41 PM

Janie-

It should be safe to come to Maine by July.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:50 PM

Charley's being an Eeeyore. Maine ain't too different from Nova Scotia and NB, and while June can be cold, by the middle of it every native plant that can hold a flower is sproinging them out as fast as it can. We don't have a Spring, we have an Explosion.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Becca72
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 11:21 AM

Mid June to late September it's just about perfect here in Maine, Janie.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 02:03 PM

In southeastern New Brunswick, it could go either way, but, the May Moon is on the 20th (June is the 18th), so, given what we have seen so far, my guess (at 50.01%) is that we will have no frost after May 30. Of course, if you do the arithmetic, there is a 49.99% chance that we will have frost as late as about June 21st.

If you wish to consult a more informed source, contact Mother Nature.

Oh, BTW, on this first day of spring, there is about 10mm of ice on my truck.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:22 PM

Yup, gnu, it's friggin' miserable out.

Could be worse. Was talking last night to a fellow who just got in yesterday from offshore, out by Sable Island. They had hurricane force winds out there the other day. From the sounds of it, he still has a couple pairs of pants need washing.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: black walnut
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:27 PM

ROBINS, ROBINS, ROBINS!!!!
REAL ROBINS!!!
YEAH!!! ROBINS!!!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 07:11 AM

Bee... "Could be worse."

Ya just had ta say that, didn't ya!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: maeve
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 08:08 AM

Of course it's spring. The woodpiles in our yard are growing rapidly.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Becca72
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 08:44 AM

Maeve,
My mother always said that would happen if you sit on the cold ground too long! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: maeve
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 08:58 AM

Becca, bad!

We are being thrifty and planning ahead and getting in the wood before the sap flows and...

Funny wummin!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 09:08 AM

Let's see...

Crokuses in bloom, bleeding hearts pokin' up, palmaneria's in bloom, Linten rose in bloom, Camellias bloomed and went, Virginia Blue Bell pokin' up, early diciduous azalea (pink) in bloom, willows leafing out, grass getting greener...

Robins arrived last week... Junkos still hangin' round...

That's 'bout it fir now...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 04:21 PM

Here is our 1st full day of Spring in the park today

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring1.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring2.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring4.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring5.jpg


http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring6.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring7.jpg


http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring8.jpg


http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don/spring9.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 07:52 PM

Groundhog Day

Every year the residents of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania hold a special celebration on Groundhog Day, which is, again, 2 February. On that day, if the resident groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his hole on Gobblers Knob and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 08:17 PM

Six? Just six? Fire that little sucker up!

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Janie
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 09:16 PM

Donuel - thanks for the pix. Those lilies - those aren't in bloom now, are they?

The earliest Dutch Iris are blooming now. In fact, this is the first time since I planted this particular variety that they haven't got nailed by frost before the blooms opened. More tulips blooming. We didn't have enough cold this winter for the tulips to do very well. I am surprised that a number of small, species tulips do not appear to have survived. They are natives of Turkey and the mountains of the mideast, and were planted 3 years ago. Earliest daffs are pretty shrivelled. Early daffs fading. Mid season daffs at their prime. Late season, such as my personal faves - thalia just putting one their show, and the narcissis are going strong. Redbuds have popped out like magic in the last week. Two columbines - look like crosses between the native columbine and some cultivars I've had over the years, are in full bloom - way early. No other columbines appeared to have survived the drought or to have self-sowed. Have lost all but one bleeding heart to drought. I think I lost most of my hydrangeas too, except for a stand of native Hydrangea arborescens. They are the only ones I'm seeing any bud swell on. Many dead azaleas (again, old shrubs) and those that are alive are obviously in bad shape.

Hellebores doing well - and the white linton rose I obtained from Beaubear 4 years ago has really taken off this year. I love the creamy white of the bloom, Bobert. Lost all but one pulmunaria. It is scrawny, but it is blooming. Lost all of my ferns (had just started the fern garden two years ago so they weren't well established.) It looks like a few of a thick stand of Japanese Anemones may have survived. I'm surprised and pleased to see any at all made it. 5 boxwoods at least 70 years old are dead. I had a number of different cultivars of echinecea,including some of the new orange and sherbet cultivars that won't cost nearly as much in a few years. Usually they have nice rosettes by now. Thought I had lost most of them, even the well-established clumps of native and drought tolerant purpurea, but it appears that many have survived - barely. Isolated, tiny leaves popping up. Rose campion doing well. Poppies everywhere. They need thinned badly, but I am going to be moving so am not thinning so I can get seeds of as many different colors as possible to take with me. Don't matter if this year's crop has small flowers, so long as I get the seeds.

The catbirds are back.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 09:05 AM

No ther lilies were indoors but its is the theme now with Easter.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 12:09 PM

I slipped on the 150mm thick ice while shovelling a few minutes ago so I came inside to console myself and warm up. It's snowing again!

And, I just looked at the weather forecast to see what the rest of the day may bring and noticed it says snow on Wednesday.

At least the tulips and the ??? are covered with snow. Thanks Becca.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: number 6
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 12:24 PM

Early signs of spring ??!!?? HuH .... it's just down right miserable here in SJ. That effen icy wind blowing off of the Bay of Fundy is gonna kill me.

gnu ... we gotta watch our old bones eh .... I slipped on the ice first thing yesterday when I took the hounds out for their morning walk.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 12:38 PM

Yeees, sIx! I gotta go back out but I am puttin on me old shin pads! And, I am gonna use the snowblower so I have at least something to hang onto.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemispher
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 04:02 AM

Early signs of feckin winter more like, and as someone else said, I'm just going outside now, I may be gone sometime, I've got to scrape the global warming off my windscreen.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 11:32 AM

Cold as it is, the lake remains open, there really are pussywillows, and the snow is largely gone here. I remain chilled but optimistic. (but if that north wind would just die!)

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 01:37 PM

Last post was me. Husband trashed alla cookies without tellin' me.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 02:01 PM

Yeees, Bee! It was a beautiful morn here. Only -11 at noon. But, the wind made it -22 windchill. And the ground drift made the highways kinda nasty.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: Bee
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 02:08 PM

Nasty highways? Say it ain't so! Husband just left for work in NB... will be calling me to tell me he got there in 4...3...2...

But he's a careful driver with studded winter tires. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: black walnut
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 09:22 PM

A quick answer to the Guest above then back to the topic of spring.
Nope..."black walnut" is because my first Celtic harp and my fretted dulcimer are both made from black walnut.

Back to the topic. Spring? We had snow last night and we're in for more tomorrow.

Sigh....

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:28 AM

Got up about 4AM. Just as the dawn began, so did a noise. It quickly got louder. I looked up from my desk and saw movement in the pines against the sky. I peered out the window... there were about a hundred crows in my maple in the middle of the yard... well over a hundred in the 4 pines... well over two hundred on the apartment building roof behind the pines. I didn't see them all at first. It was only as dawn light came on that I realized how many there were. Got most of it on video, too.

Definite a sign... a good sign.

Subject: RE: BS: Early Signs of Spring - northern hemisphere
From: gnu
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:36 AM

Now, there are only two. Probably the two I have been feeding and videoing all winter.

It's like they met up here. A few minutes of silence, then a thunder of caws, then a bunch would take off to the north, then a bunch to the south... then silence... then... fascinating.