Monday, February 02, 2009

Groundhog Day Today, February 2nd


digs den underground
solitary vegetarian
also called Woodchuck

One thing I have definitely become aware of today; there are a lot of Groundhog celebrities out there! Here in New Brunswick many are curious to hear if Mactacaddy, of Mactaquac Provincial Park, will see his shadow? A Canadian Press newspaper story this morning tells us that Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia had seen his shado w and so did Wiarton Willie of Wiraton, Ontario]
Both Sam and Willie are predicting six more weeks of wnter. Another Canadian celebrity groundhog is Alberta's, Balzac Billy. I'm wondering if his will be a shadowy, or shadowless experience?

I'm all for the,"... didn't see its shadow" report, for I have had enough of winter. And as folklore has it, if the Groundhog doesn't see its shadow, then spring is just around the corner! If a shadow is seen, then we will have six more weeks of winter! I am also looking for reports from the south of us and wonder if Pennsylvanian's, Punxsutawney Phil or Malverne Mel of Western Long Island will see their shadows?! Apparently according to an early report today, PunxsutawneyPhil also saw his shadow this morning inPennsylvania an Phil is predicting six more wreeks o winter.

The Groundhogs pictured here are not famous. Barney, shown in the middle picture, once lived under a barn in Fredericton, New Brunswick and the other is one of our summer regulars. Thanks R., for sharing Barney's photo with us.

However, this Groundhog reporting is all in fun and for scientific weather reporting and predicting, be sure to check weather reports and predictions from your local weather departments. To see a longer list of famous Groundhogs, and to learn more of the origins of Groundhog Day in Canada and the United States: just click on the url below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_day

11 comments:

Sharon said...

What a cute little guy! He was sure posing for you in that last shot. Happy Groundhog Day:)

bobbie said...

Cutest little groundhogs I ever saw. I always feel sorry for poor Phil. I can't imagine that it makes him happy to be the center of so much attention.

This is also my mother's birthday.

Mary said...

I knew you would have groundhogs! That first one looks like a bear! I like the second photo with the nose peeking out :-) We used to have one living somewhere along our creek, but I haven't seen him for a long time.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Manitoba Merv will see his shadow as we have a clear blue sky.I too am done with winter.I 'need' more birds and photo opportunities.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

In Alberta, we always said, If it sees its shadow, spring is only 6 weeks away; if it doesn't see its shadow, there's 6 more weeks of winter!! (don't know if Balzac Billy would agree)

Ruth said...

Wiarton Willie is our rascally rodent and he predicted 6 more weeks of winter. I do believe he is right.

Anonymous said...

Garden trashers, they are, but the pics are really clean and neat.

None around here to predict, they're all sleeping

My idea on shadows, if he sees it, six more weeks of winter, if he doesn't, spring will be here in amonth and a half.

Exit 318

Appalachian Lady said...

I love that last photo of the groundhog--he's so pretty.

Becky said...

Ha Ha, I didn't have any idea there was so many of these little celebs out there. Most I've never heard of either.
B

Anonymous said...

He's a cutie. I've always thought they had the whole thing backwards. Seems to me the sign of a shadow means there is sun and that's a good thing. I don't know. It just seemed backwards.
:-)

Anonymous said...

Balzac Billy did not see his shadow and we are expecting an early spring.

ssr