Groundhog Day Forecast – Southern Alberta Style
So… I tried to run a Groundhog Day test this morning. First, I asked the local gophers and marmots to step in as stand-ins for the elusive groundhog — but they refused. Flat out turned me down.
That left me to make the prediction myself. I headed outside, stood there like a true Canadian meteorologist, and waited. I didn’t see my shadow. I did get snowed on… and may have picked up a mild case of frostbite… but no shadow means good news, right?
So despite the lack of willing critters or warm fingers, I’m calling it: early spring for southern Alberta!
Since I couldn’t get any current gopher portraits in this weather, here are a couple shots from warmer years.
This particular gopher had prime real estate — a den in a massive dirt pile with an exit about 8 feet off the ground. Not sure if it was for the view or just showing off, but the other gophers definitely looked jealous.
Marmot’s of St. Mary’s river valley. I was out with my youngest son a number of years ago and while he was fishing I was looking for photo subjects. A couple pulled up in their pick-up truck and asked me if I had seen any Marmots? I had not and did not even think that they lived in that area. They had been in Waterton and was told that Marmots lived in the area that I was in. A year later I was back there and as I was resting in the White Turtle III with the side door open a Marmot popped up only feet from me. Now I know where they have their dens I go back there as often as possible.
