Finally the scurs continue to gain confidence in the Weather Eye after seeing sunshine and the snow melting before their very eyes. Is Old Man Winter down for the count or is he poised to get off the mat and make a furious comeback? Starting Wednesday, partly sunny with highs in the low 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s. Thursday, sunny with highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s. Sunny on Friday with highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the low 30’s. Saturday, sunny with a modest chance of evening showers. Highs in the mid-50’s with lows in the low 40’s. Mostly cloudy on Sunday with a modest chance of forenoon showers. Highs in the mid-50’s with lows in the mid-30’s. Monday, partly sunny with highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s. Mostly sunny for Tuesday with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the mid-30’s. The vernal equinox is on the 20th and is considered as the astronomical first day of spring. The normal high for March 20 is 42 and the normal low is 24. The scurs are betting there will be angry chickens when their eggs stand on end during the equinox.
March 20 also corresponds to the Full Moon for March that goes by several names, the most common of which is the Full Worm Moon. This is usually the month when the ground thaws, allowing the earthworms to make the surface and leave their castings behind. The robins are generally major beneficiaries of their actions. It also goes by the Full Crow Moon, The Full Crust Moon as well as the Full Sap Moon as the sap is running in the maple trees with the warming daytime temperatures and cooler overnights. The Ojibwe knew this as the Snow Crust Moon while the Sioux called it the Moon When Buffalo Cows drop their Calves. At the ranch it is known as the Moon of the Muddy Border Collie. Several months share that designation.
We finally got a glimpse of spring this past week. Temperatures warmed above freezing so that with the rain, localized flooding was enough to close roads and prohibit travel. Fortunately overnight temperatures went below freezing again last Friday and continued that trend through the weekend. This slowed the amount of water getting into larger tributaries which should help alleviate some of the flooding potential. However there is still plenty of snow left to melt in groves, ditches and wetland habitat so we’re not out of the woods entirely. Warmer temperatures later this week could send another wave through the system as temperatures will likely remain above freezing through the weekend. Luckily not much in the way of precipitation is expected so we can count our blessings. Many in parts of NE, IA and SD have not been so fortunate.
There are definitely signs of spring in the migrating bird arena. Robins were spotted at the Mall for Men on the 12th and on the 14th at the ranch where they feasted on the remaining nannyberries and crabapples. There are plenty of American cranberries as well should they run short. A red-winged blackbird was also heard on the 14th. While I was shoveling the snow off the patio Saturday I heard the distinctive call of sandhill cranes to the south. A tad early perhaps although maybe they know something I don’t. More geese are heading their way north daily and Tuesday morning a group of 13 swans flew overhead as I headed out to do chores. In the meantime the male cardinals sing their hearts out while the chickadees are locked in on the sunflower feeders. A rooster pheasant has set up shop on the edge of our yard right next to the corn in the feed pan. Great horned owls were calling on St. Patrick’s Day evening around 10 p.m. lamb check. Fortunately all the lambs are inside, out of harm’s way. Besides, the owls have plenty of bunnies, skunks and opossums to dine upon.
The yard hasn’t really firmed up much yet. A week ago this past Sunday I was still blowing snow. That Monday I was removing snow off the roof where it was deep so the rain didn’t cause issues. Since that time the slush needed to be scraped off so we could get up the driveway more easily. It even made the pickup with four wheel drive scratch and claw so no telling what might happen if you driving a car. The solar lights I forgot to put away last fall finally reemerged from the snowbanks and some were already working. Others were sputtery, likely from the moisture in the snow melt.
More ewes and lambs made their way to the loafing area in the main barn. Ruby provided some additional backup, earning her keep once more. A ewe nicknamed Psycho for her nasty temperament was particularly unamused by our little red and white Border Collie. Pretty sure Ruby wasn’t on Psycho’s Christmas card list as the ewe charged her. Ruby quickly deflected the attempt, getting the ewe back on the balance point as we carried the lambs in front of her. The twins were heavy, causing our arms to ache by the time we made the gate in the barn. Psycho was right behind us, though, thanks in part to Ruby running interference.
One thing led to another after shoveling the patio off and moving more sheep over the weekend. To celebrate weather that hasn’t been hell-bent on trying to kill anyone, the grill was ignited Monday night. After lighting the coals the exterior of the grill needed a good cleaning. The grunge from February’s storms had collected on it even though it was covered. Once that was accomplished the fire and the lamb burgers were ready to grill. The air was still as the evening was cooling down while the solar lights added their ambiance. It didn’t take long and the burgers were done. A tad chilly, perhaps, yet a great way to celebrate what hopefully will be the end of another winter that started in October. It’s been a long time coming.
See you next week…real good then.