BS: Spring

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Bob Landry
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 07:35 PM

Spring is far from arriving in central Alberta, though I did barbeque last evening after the temperature warmed up to -10 or thereabouts. The snowbank in front of my house has shrunk to between 3 and 4 feet high. I'm hoping to move the goldfish out of my basement to the back pond in about 6 or 7 weeks.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 07:08 PM

topsie (12:20 pm):

the apparent size of the rising or setting sun or full moon when it is just above the horizon isn't just an illusion caused by it's proximity to the trees and rooftops, as many 'experts' claim, but is caused by magnification when it is seen through the atmosphere near the horizon.

The same magnification is responsible for what's called the "ephemeris jump" (you can look that up) noticed mostly for a setting sun or moon. The sun/moon appears to approach the horizon at "normal rate" until what looks like about the last 5 degrees (where it "should" take about 20 minutes more to reach the horizon) but "plops" out of sight in a minute or less. The effect is especially visible when seen from an airplane at 20 or 30 kft altitude.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: LadyJean
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 06:44 PM

We had a heavy snow last Monday. I had a long drive home and the only snowplow I encountered was headed in the opposite direction.

I wish to thank the friends who taught me to steer into a skid. But that trip home was more adventure than I wanted.

It's still bloody cold here, but there are three little bitty snowdrops blooming in my front yard. Glory hallelujah!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 06:24 PM

Eliza: NOT pathetic at all! Cannot think of a better way to spend one's time!

Raptor: That looks like a great place to live! Can't believe i never heard of it.

It is lovely that spring is happening in the world. It may yet get to Montreal! It almost made it up to freezing this week but calling for more cold, possibly 41 F on Monday. But the weather report is .... Yesterday's warnings were, happily WAY off. only one inch instead of sixish.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Crowhugger
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 12:05 PM

Ahhh, spring...with our dogs that means 3 tummies, 3 chins, 3 bums and 12 paws to consider as the melting snow turns white paradise into mucky grunge. Or 4,4,4 and 16 on the days I walk my friend's dog too. Oh joy.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:42 PM

Spring has officially arrived in Kansas, at least in the weather reports if not by the calendar.

Yesterday scattered areas reported hail (mostly a "springtime phenomenon") although the largest reported were only "about an inch in diamter."

There were also a few reports of thunder accompanying the most recent precipitation - mostly something that happens only in warmer air, although we had a couple of unusual "rumbles" during snow earlier.

Class schedules for recruiting and training new "Tornado Watch" observers have also been announced. Meteorologists predict a "longer than usual" tornado season, due to prevailing major air mass movements; but they decline to make predictions about "relative severity" of expected weather disturbances.

Low temp this morning in my town 11F (-11.6C) but prediction is for at least 40F (4.4C) by late afternoon. (Possibility of 60F in a couple of days.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Maryrrf
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:11 PM

It was 69 degrees when we went out for lunch today, here in Richmond, Virginia. It's very breezy, well gusty would be a better word for it, but it feels great! Trees are budding (I hope it isn't too early).

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 12:53 PM

I realise I should 'get a life', but today for the first time in four months I hung my washing outside on the line, then sat looking at it, filled with great joy. Pathetic eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 12:49 PM

Wow! That is cool. I've never seen a green flash yet, but the pictures show it clearly.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 12:20 PM

I'd never heard of the 'green flash' or 'green rim' before this thread, but the lowest picture in Micca's link seems to confirm something I have long suspected - the apparent size of the rising or setting sun or full moon when it is just above the horizon isn't just an illusion caused by it's proximity to the trees and rooftops, as many 'experts' claim, but is caused by magnification when it is seen through the atmosphere near the horizon.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Micca
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:16 AM

Raptor, I had wanted to see the Green Flash for many years and one evening in the Saloon of the Ferry (Plymouth to Santander) crossing the Bay of Biscay I was describing the phenomenon to some friends as we were watching the sun set into the sea and we all saw it!! I had been waiting for 30+years to see this and There it Was !! wonderful
There is info on why it happens and some pix Here

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 07:59 AM

Not as bright as yesterday but still a pleasant enough day here. Like SW, we have crocuses out and daffs ready. I have started the pond pump in the field for the season.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 07:45 AM

Sniff - it's snowing again here........

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Raptor
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 07:40 AM

Mabey someone can link with a blue clicky about the green flash and we can all learn But regardless of its validity I shall drink and search it out on those perfect evenings.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Raptor
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 07:38 AM

Yes My dog loves beer. And the green flash just might be a saliors mith but I find it an excelent reason to drink at the sunset. I live in a place called Utopia (No Shit) Ontario Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 11:23 AM

Pond fountain in full flow.

Patio doors wide open.

Dog on lawn licking his fundamentals. (Parts of which are missing thanks to the vet.)

My frogs are staring at each other incidentally. Frogspawn totally covered the filter last year and I had to turn the pump off whilst they hatched. No fish, just running a filter to make it look clear.

Even got a bit of blossom on a few bushes and trees. Croakarses in full bloom and daffs about to.

Not bad to say we are officially 'oop North here.

Yep, even a cynical old bugger like me can say his nibs is in his heaven. think I'll get a beer and go out and enjoy it.

Mind you, shouldn't get too excited, off to Norway skiing next week. Hiring a car in Oslo and back to driving on packed snow as if it were still December here.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring lefthanded guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 11:13 AM

sorry that was me for the last post; forgot to sign in;

guess it's spring fever!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 11:13 AM

I've read about the green flash but never really seen it. Have you seen it? what part of the country (or perhaps I should ask WHICH country) are you in ? can you describe it; as a photographer I've always wanted to get a shot of it.


Spring is a little delayed around here; snow and slush again this week; but I KNOW it's coming - the trees have started sprouting little knobs, not quite buds about to bring new growth. The birds have started twittering again, and outside my window is my favorite avian songster- the mockingbird. There is a gentle, achingly lovely quality to the breeze that makes one's spirits soar. Longer days. Soon the crocus will bud, a carpet of green will reappear and this long, harsh winter will be behind us.

"And we'll all go together..to pull wild mountain thyme.........."

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 10:09 AM

Amid all the miserable damp and wet weather we've been getting a lot of, today really does like a spring day. Even our cats seem to want to be out today! Forecast seems reasonable / some sunny for the next 5 days too!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 08:35 AM

Nest building?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 07:32 AM

This is the time of year my thoughts about going vegetarian get stronger especially observing lambs skipping around a field, it makes me feel so mean!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:32 AM

Hey Raptor.. does your dog really like the beer??
I too love this time of year when the plants and trees start to sprout and lambs appear in the fields... baby birds learn to fly etc etc.. Lovely!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:15 AM

Just checked my pond annd there are several frogs exchanging small talk, with smiles of anticipation on their little faces.

And the worms are having quite a party in the compost bin!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: scouse
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:09 AM

Two of the seven Red necked Parrots (Escapee's,) that reside over in the park were Cooin' with each other a few days back on me Balcony.. Guess Spring is in the air again!!!

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring
From: Janie
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:42 PM

I notice some of the birds starting to do a bit of courting, and a Momma squirrel is busy building a nest a high crotch in the oak tree.

Subject: BS: Spring
From: Raptor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:27 PM

I LOVE this time of year. I made it home in time to enjoy a few beer with my dog on the balcony at sunset triing to spot the green flash!