In Nova Scotia, February 2 or Groundhog Day is celebrated by some who gather at the wildlife park in Shubenacadie. At the alloted hour, handlers gently awaken Shubenacadie Sam from his warm burrow and entice him out to give his prophesy. He's the first groundhog in North America to make his prediction, being the most easterly-residing prophet.
This, however, isn't Shubie Sam. I nicknamed him Marconi because his burrow was near the remains of a Marconi station at Point Amour Lighthouse in southern Labrador.
My travelling companion and I met Marconi by the lighthouse the day of much great wind, on our return from Battle Harbour in the Battle Islands. He was quite complacent about us following him around for a while...
When he decided he'd had enough, he scurried off across the field and we took that as our cue to go to the lighthouse. As to whether Sam will see his shadow today or not? He might see it, but either way, it'll probably take at least 6 weeks for the snow we have now to melt. It just gets deeper every day. But I console myself that things are well insulated in the gardens, and my work allows me to stay home if there IS a weather tantrum happening. The days are getting longer, there's heat in the sun on those days when it IS out, so we'll make it through. We always do, don't we?
As a special Groundhog Day/Imbolc gift to us, my Longsuffering Spouse looked out the window as the sun was coming up to find our favourite backyard visitors are finally here. The snow buntings have arrived and were happily snacking under the big feeder.
These charming and busy little birds are one of those things that make me instantly happy. The pictures are from last year, as my other GroundHog Day gift is the wicked cold my hubby has had the past few days, so I won't be venturing outside today to try to take pictures. Please pass the orange juice and the Buckleys! HOW many more weeks of winter was that again?
Lovely little birds. I wish they visited my feeders farther south and west. Hope you husband feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Oh my gosh, you have Snow Buntings as feeder birds. I just love these beautiful little birds. We even saw one in our county yesterday. We got brave and ventured into the county to see if there was anything out and about. It is still difficult to get around on any but the main roads.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of the ground hogs too. It must have been a warm day for them to get out of their den. I doubt if any groundhogs have been out here yet.
Great photos of the snow buntings, Jodi--these are beautiful little birds! I've been doing more bird-watching (in my front yard) this winter, since just looking at snow gets pretty boring after awhile:) No matter what Mr. Groundhog says, I think we're in for at least six more weeks of winter.
ReplyDeleteJust read your previous post: I have some overgrown yews that I would love to remove, but haven't been able to convince Hubby to do it. Maybe I could sell them to a developer who would dig them up for me:)
I forgot all about GroundHog Day! It's a good thing I'm not the groundhog. I don't take kindly to being disturbed when I'm sleeping. At anyrate I'm hoping you have an early spring!--Randy
ReplyDeleteThe snow buntings are so pretty. Six weeks sounds like a long time doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI have never seen these birds before and they are so cool! Here's hoping winter ends for you soon.
ReplyDeleteJodi:
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming post! I almost forgot all about Groundhog Day, but my Mother (bless her heart) remembered it's the day after her birthday. We actually went above zero yesterday, which made for a wonderful evening walk. Six more weeks..... it will give us both lots of time to find more great plants for the coming season! Hurrah!
I've always wondered if other countries did groundhog day (or something similar). We always use Punxsutawney Phil. I'm thinking the tradition is find a place with a really unpronounceable name then add another easy to pronounce name with the same first letter.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, snow is a great garden insulator ... hold that thought, Jodi. Happy Groundhog Day!
ReplyDeleteJodie, loved reading about Groundhog day and the pics of the snow buntings are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your kind comment. I wasn't too sure about 'Jodie' but when I saw 'Bloomingwriter', OMG I was thrilled beyond words! Thanks once again.
Cool pictures. This is the first I've seen of Snow Buntings. I can see how they'd be very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood Groundhog's Day. You'd think that if the groundhog saw his shadow, he'd be happy. After all the sun is shining. Spring is on the way. If he didn't see his shadow it would indicate cold, overcast skies--more winter, back to bed for six wees. I'm probably missing something...
Anyway, if the flora are asleep we can still enjoy the fauna. Always nice.
Cool pictures. This is the first I've seen of Snow Buntings. I can see how they'd be very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood Groundhog's Day. You'd think that if the groundhog saw his shadow, he'd be happy. After all the sun is shining. Spring is on the way. If he didn't see his shadow it would indicate cold, overcast skies--more winter, back to bed for six wees. I'm probably missing something...
Anyway, if the flora are asleep we can still enjoy the fauna. Always nice.
Yes Britain is in shock, i have never seen snow like this in my life! Lovely though. I love your cat children and these photos of birds are fabulous. They wouldn't be out of place in a photography gallery.x
ReplyDeleteThe snow buntings are so cute. I've never seen them before.
ReplyDeleteHope your feel better soon!
Dear Jodi,
ReplyDeleteI wish you a speedy recovery. In the meantime your Snow Buntings are beautiful! So cuddle up in your down comforter and have a good lie down! I hope you have a laptop to cuddle up with!
gail
Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog. I have heard of Groundhog Day but it doesn't happen over here :-) Hopefully our hedgehogs are still tucked up nice and warm. I really love your bird pics. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've ever seen a groundhog, dead, alive or photographed - now I know!
ReplyDeleteLucy
Jodi, I hope you feel better soon. I've been stuck with a headcold for almost two weeks, a gift from my toddler. Loved your post title because it slowed me down, had to go back to my grade-school days of sounding things out. Ha! Those little birds are so adorable. Mostly chickadees around here, although today I spotted our little emerald hummingbird. Yay spring.
ReplyDeleteJodi, how exciting you finally have snow buntings! We still haven't any here, nor do Mom and Dad on the other side of the Basin. I hope they're making their way to Windsor.
ReplyDeleteI like the snow buntings before and after taking flight. If I ever saw one I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteI have a cold too. I look like two eyes and a big cold sore. I'm taking lots of cold medicine and cracking jokes left and right. MrD told me to hush.
Spring is going to come, I promise. Hog or no hog, we are going celebrate Spring.
The snow buntings are so cool looking. Do they have those colorings year round or do they change?
ReplyDeleteI'm keep looking at them thinking how that combination of colors would make a nice color scheme for a blog.
Hi from Val at Pencil and Leaf.. thanks very much for you comment and fave! so glad to find your blog. The snow buntings are so pretty and yes I am enjoying the grackles! Being a Brit I never quite understood groundhog day either, so thanks for that too. I had to laugh reading your comments as it seems almost everyone has a cold.. hope you are (all)feeling better soon..
ReplyDeleteOh Jodi, those little snow buntings are so dear, thanks for showing them. We do not have that sort of bird here. How fun to meet your own Marconi too. It was cloudy here, snowing in fact, on groundhog day, so does that mean an earlier spring for us? I am so ready. And you might want to start looking for some Paphiopedilums, they are my very favorite orchid. They stay small and the foliage is pretty even when there is no bloom. I know, an enabler! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Great posting Jodi :-)
ReplyDeleteOh but... the snow buntings really are delighful. What wonderful visitors to your garden. I can see why you look forward to seeing them arrive :-D
Well, there's a surprise... I've just looked in my bird book and see that they can appear here in the winter too! I doubt I'd see them in my garden though. My book suggests that they can be attracted to patches of seeds scattered on the ground (which works well in your garden) at the edge of a shingle beach in winter. Great stuff :-D