Groundhogs Day
To all my Flickr and Blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2007 predict that spring will come early this year! Sorry everyone, I had to get that out of me!! BTW: I heard on the morning news that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning and also predicting an early spring. I have also heard by the weatherman that this summer is expected to be very hot and muggy one. I can only hope that we don’t get as much rain as we did last year (never seemed to end).
You might wonder why Groundhogs Day is so special to so many people! It started from an old German superstition that if a hibernating animal can cast its shadow on February 2nd that winter will last another six weeks. But, if no shadow is seen, the legend says spring will be early that year. You might ask why is this holiday so special to me?? Well, I consider this extraordinary day to be my official first day of spring! This is when we really start to notice more birds singing, displaying and pairs beginning to connecting together. I find this years Groundhogs Day to be extra unique because it falls on a full moon. After I get my taxes done, maybe I can get out doing some night time cross-country skiing this evening! I will do my best to take some pictures for everyone!!
PS: if you missed it, Allegany Toms prediction was accurate after see his shadow last year!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
LOL! Happy Groundhog’s Day Allegany Tom, and happy spring to you! 🙂 Love the l-o-n-g legs shadow photo!
Have fun X-country skiing tonight!
2 February 2007 at 10:11 am
Your enthusiasm has convinced me to start looking diligently for signs of spring! I might have to start tomorrow though as I woke up to -8 degrees this morning!!!
BTW- Allageny Tom, you cast a reeeeally long shadow 🙂
2 February 2007 at 10:43 am
:-)) Thanks!
Now I have another holiday to celebrate !
2 February 2007 at 12:21 pm
I just came home from a Hallmark store and yes, they do sell Groundhog’s Day cards!!
2 February 2007 at 1:03 pm
OMG Lynne! They’ve got everything, don’t they?
2 February 2007 at 1:23 pm
Well, now I’ll have to take the Christmas tree down. Spring is here!
2 February 2007 at 3:12 pm
Yay! Thanks, Mon@rch, for educating us! This was a very interesting post and answered many questions. I am so ready for an early spring, although we had a warm winter until the last week or two… I wonder what the rest of the year will bring, weatherwise.
2 February 2007 at 7:44 pm
Thanks everyone and sure hope you all had a great Groundhogs Day!
@ Pam – thanks and will try!
@ Lynne- I tried my best for the long shadow! I bet you do start to notice many signs of spring from the critters!
@ Didi – and one of the best holidays that is out there!
@ Lynne – You are kidding! LOL that’s soo funny! About time!!
@ Puff – and if you put it near your feeder the birds will love to hang out around the tree!
@ Mary – thanks and I had also wondered if winter would ever get here! but, boy did we get it fast and hard! I am ready for spring, for sure!
2 February 2007 at 9:48 pm
Ground hogs are so cute. My Mom has a shed down in the back that has hosted I don’t know how many generations of ground hogs under it. They always scared the heck out of me when I would come by on the tractor.
I would trust the judgment of Allegheny Tom over the PA ground hog any day!
2 February 2007 at 11:59 pm
We still have to go through some hard times next week nevertheless!
3 February 2007 at 10:47 pm
Susan – goes PA Groundhog then Allegany Tom (Allegheny is the federal way of spelling it, Allegany is the NYS way of spelling it, should be a future post when I do the historic Allegheny River old pictures).
Seedsaside – yep but as long as spring is early, I will be happy with these hard times for the next few weeks ! Thanks for visiting!
4 February 2007 at 9:56 pm
Great pictures! I hope you had a wonderful day!
6 February 2007 at 8:57 pm
Thanks Barbara!! Did enjoy the day!
6 February 2007 at 9:35 pm