Groundhog Day

[OLDE CUTLER]

Happy Groundhog day to all. Officially Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow, which indicates an early spring this year. Of course he is not always correct either. A couple of years ago a county sheriff in an eastern state put out an arrest warrant for the groundhog who in the opinion of the sheriff had misled the public by predicting an early spring which did not materialize. Below is a photo of a groundhog which I had to "arrest" for running amok in our neighborhood and causing damage to various things by chewing. He was a wily one that would not go into the trap even though I had used ripe cantaloupe as bait. He would run around a few feet from the trap, but would not go into it. Finally I was able to catch him by laying slices of fresh cucumber a few inches apart in a trail leading into the trap. Then I had him. Animal control was called and he was relocated somewhere out of town.

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

I believe groundhogs CAN predict the weather accurately, they simply choose not to do so...

[New_Windsor_NY]

If you can find this, it's worth a viewing.

[orvet]

Ground Hog Day... NOT AGAIN!

[1967redrider]

The news of an early Spring made me sad. Don't think I'll get any skiing in this Winter.

[doglegg]

Ground Hog Day... NOT AGAIN!

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

This was released today

[New_Windsor_NY]

Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

[Steve Warden]

Happy Groundhog day to all. Officially Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow, which indicates an early spring this year. Of course he is not always correct either. A couple of years ago a county sheriff in an eastern state put out an arrest warrant for the groundhog who in the opinion of the sheriff had misled the public by predicting an early spring which did not materialize. Below is a photo of a groundhog which I had to "arrest" for running amok in our neighborhood and causing damage to various things by chewing. He was a wily one that would not go into the trap even though I had used ripe cantaloupe as bait. He would run around a few feet from the trap, but would not go into it. Finally I was able to catch him by laying slices of fresh cucumber a few inches apart in a trail leading into the trap. Then I had him. Animal control was called and he was relocated somewhere out of town.
IMG_1477.JPG

And this year, snow falling and blowing all around, he sees his shadow?!?!
I wonder if those of the "Inner Circle" realized just how much light all the camera crews were throwing?

*sigh* I'm sure there are folks out there who think I'm the foolish one for having more than one knife!

[jmh58]

Early Spring last yr and we had snow May 8th... Maybe that wont happen in 2021 as we all know what 2020 is...
John

[New_Windsor_NY]

Happy Groundhog Day, 2022.

***** HISTORY *****
Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog (woodchuck) from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks. The beginning of February, which falls roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, has long been a significant time of the year in many cultures. Among the Celts, for example, it was the time of Imbolc, observed in anticipation of the birth of farm animals and the planting of crops, and February 2 is also the date of the Christian festival of Candlemas, also called the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin. During the Middle Ages there arose the belief that animals such as the badger and the bear interrupted their hibernation to appear on this day. If the day was sunny and the animal saw its shadow, six more weeks of winter weather remained. If, however, the day was cloudy, it was a sign that the weather during the following weeks would be mild, leading to an early spring. German immigrants to the United States carried the legend with them, and in Pennsylvania the groundhog came to be substituted for the badger. Groundhog Day is celebrated on Wednesday, February 2, 2022.
Since 1887 an animal in Punxsutawney, in the west-central part of the state, has been the centre of a staged appearance each February 2. In what has become a media event, a groundhog designated Punxsutawney Phil is the centre of attention of television weathermen and newspaper photographers. Although promoters of the local festival surrounding Punxsutawney Phil claim that the animals have never been wrong, an examination of the records indicates a correlation of less than 40 percent. (Whether a groundhog does or does not emerge is thought to be related to the amount of fat it was able to store before going into hibernation.) Canada has a number of groundhogs that serve as weather prognosticators, perhaps the best known being those portraying Wiarton Willie, a white-furred, pink-eyed creature that has appeared on the Bruce Peninsula, northwest of Toronto, since 1956.

[OLDE CUTLER]

At least today we will know exactly what is going to happen in the future from this visionary rodent. lol

[1967redrider]

I wonder if anyone keeps stats on his predictions? Can't do any worse than the local weatherman.

[treefarmer]

Just saw a funny take on this ground hog day stuff. It showed a big ol’ gator crossing a street with the comment, “The gator has seen his shadow, there will be 12 more months of Florida!”
Treefarmer

[1967redrider]

From Twitter-

[OLDE CUTLER]

I wonder if anyone keeps stats on his predictions? Can't do any worse than the local weatherman.

The wife read on the news this morning that his success rate over the last 10 years is 40%, not good.

[1967redrider]

I wonder if anyone keeps stats on his predictions? Can't do any worse than the local weatherman.

The wife read on the news this morning that his success rate over the last 10 years is 40%, not good.

So that means buckle up for a long Winter.

[Beavertail]

Our groundhog down here General Beauregard Lee didn't see his shadow today.
I guess we'll have an early spring.

Tim

[jmh58]

I wonder if anyone keeps stats on his predictions? Can't do any worse than the local weatherman.

The wife read on the news this morning that his success rate over the last 10 years is 40%, not good.

So that means buckle up for a long Winter.

Yep. He predicted early spring last year and we had snow in April!! Guess he was wrong!!
We seem to have 6plus more weeks no matter what!!
John

[OLDE CUTLER]

Happy Groundhog Day 2023 to all. Looks like 6 more weeks of misery. lol

[1967redrider]

Or potential, if you're into XC skiing!

[Old Hunter]

Happy Groundhog Day!

[treefarmer]

good post Bruce!
Treefarmer

[OLDE CUTLER]

Phil did not see his shadow, so an early spring. Hurray, well within his 39% accuracy range. lol

[edgy46]

My Dad said the groundhog was always right. If he saw his shadow we had a month and a half more winter. If the groundhog did not see his shadow it was only six weeks till spring.