Lots of quakes NE of Puerto Rico
Weather..not much to show..
February 2024 - On & Off Earth
To meteorologists, February is the last month of winter. To a celebrity rodent in PA, clear or cloudy skies on the 2nd seem to be the determining factor in winter’s end date. The ever increasing level of heat trapping gasses in our atmosphere coupled with two more minutes of sunlight every day this month will play a large role in the shift from winter to spring. The March equinox will truly be spring but February is likely to be a roller coaster ride as the cold northern air and southern breezes battle it out.
There are subtle genetic differences in every population of creatures on the planet as to when they awaken, ready for the spring breeding season. With winters shrinking, on both ends, those springing to life a little earlier are finding advantages. The early bloomers will be evident later this month; flowers already on display, taking their chances the big cold is done. If you hear honking outside, it may be a wedge of geese heading back north.
I sometimes need a reminder when writing this column, that most people reading it don’t live in the woods and are not really comfortable wandering about in the twilight or moonlight like I do most winter evenings. If you want to push the daylight, Be Careful! I try and never forget that my roaming about in the near dark is a little dangerous, that the consequences of any mistake could be dire, I can’t mess up, but I know my trails well, my abilities fairly well and the enjoyment of watching the sun’s colors fade and the moonlight take over are worth the risks involved. I also know there are no spider webs or snakes to worry about and bears will remained denned up as long as the cold holds.
Last month’s ten days of good waxing moonlight had the added bonus of a Virginia snow to brighten the walks (a Virginia snow: less than 5”, more a delight than a pain). I’d forgotten, with no snow last year and the nightmare snow the year before, all the joys of a little snow. The stark contrast of the snow to the trees opened up the views deep through the forest. My trails also stood out, warmed by the pre-snow sun, that snow melted quickly but the cold air allowed snow to linger on the insulating leaves. Add in a bright moon, I was out every night.
The bonus moon walking time in February will run from Valentine’s Day until the Full Snow moon on the 24th. Our last Va. snow was February, 2021, we’ll have to see if the Snow moon lives up to its name. If you are out for a Valentine’s Day meal it will be hard to miss the crescent moon with bright Jupiter high up in the southern sky. The moon will be below the king of the planets the next night.
Early risers on Washington’s birthday (22nd) will see Mars very near the Morning Star, Venus. Venus is pulling away from Earth and sinking lower while Earth is catching up to Mars. The red planet slowly rising, gradually drifting westward across the ecliptic all of 2024. Our orbit shifts the constellation behind the sun from Capricorn into Aquarius on the 17th.
The yellow blooms of jonquils and forsythia are going to pop in February. Daylight and warm spells will last a little longer and we get a bonus day this month. But, my favorite sign of spring is the ‘peeping’ of little tree frogs in a nearby water puddle. Our fall drought is a thing of the past and all that water has set the stage for the frogs to sing. Get out for a listen.
Late..but Today On Earth
Just look at that li'l trump dick mushroom..so small..like dick, like brain..
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