There's lots of folklore out there around how to use natural phenomena to predict the severity of the upcoming winter. For example, mast seasons for oak and other nut-bearing trees are often described as indicators of harsh winters to come - this is good news for squirrels who have a bumper crop of acorns to…Read more Weather Prediction via Persimmon Trees (?)
Weather
Navigating Unpredictable Weather on Hiking Trips
We focus on the challenges of elevation, distance, the unconquerable mountain peak - but weather can be an overlooked antagonist on backcountry trips.
Happy Imbolc!
Feb 2 (this year) marks one of the traditional "cross-quarter" days of the year, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring (vernal) equinox. Astronomically, it occurs specifically at 6:50pm Eastern Standard Time on Feb 2. This specific event was celebrated by ancient Gaelic cultures, no doubt using various stone henges to mark the time,…Read more Happy Imbolc!
Disappearing Islands In The Chesapeake Bay
I remember James Island. At least, I remember a version of it. When I first moved into the Chesapeake Bay area in the mid-90s, there was an island nearby - actually two, at the time - in the mouth of the Little Choptank River on the eastern side of the Bay. I used to fly…Read more Disappearing Islands In The Chesapeake Bay
Resolutions
Happy 2025! I'm back - at least I'm trying to be. I knew that the biggest obstacle to keeping up a site like this was maintaining the routine - and after a few years of dogged semi-consistency, I found too many excuses to STOP. I always told myself I wouldn't be one of those people…Read more Resolutions
Blackwater Falls, Davis, WV
Blackwater Falls always runs dark. The tannins from decaying leaves and evergreen needles in the water stain it the color of tea. Contrast that with a fresh snowfall, a hard freeze and enormous icicles, and you have a pretty sight, indeed! (Note the figure on the balcony at left, for scale)
Cold, Heartless Beauty
I have to take a break from reminiscing about Iceland to share what's going on right now. We've been accumulating freezing rain and drizzle for the past few days. This morning the sun is out, and turning every ice-coated branch into a crystal chandelier. It's beautiful - but these trees are carrying a lot of…Read more Cold, Heartless Beauty
First Snow of 2021
Fresh snow has a way of wiping the slate clean. Of covering up the blemishes, creating a blank canvas. It reminds me that the world carries on, marching to its own rhythm ignorant of my personal troubles, and that a fresh start is always possible. https://youtu.be/SXRPUUau_ts
It’s Too Warm!
It topped 70 degF at home this weekend (in the mid-Atlantic). Second week of January, and I'm in a T-shirt. It's not that this doesn't ever happen. Brief warm spells are a thing here - but we still haven't really gotten cold. The leaves are off the trees and it feels like April, with thunderstorms…Read more It’s Too Warm!
Growing Daylight
At my latitude, yesterday we saw 10:30 hours of daylight - and that's increasing as we leave Dark Winter behind and enter the Groundhog Days. Hopefully we'll start seeing enough daylight that we're not stuck at work for all of it!
On Groundhog Meteorological Prognostication
I'm a little late posting this, but hey, busy weekend. So... There are many, many groundhogs out there. Several are consulted each February 2 on the prospects of an early spring. (Punxsutawny Phil is merely the most famous of these prognosticating rodents.) I wondered - how good are they? I mean, just so we're on…Read more On Groundhog Meteorological Prognostication
Fresh
I'll admit, this wasn't taken today! I'd rather be seeing this than low 40's and rain, to be sure... This time of year, I always seem to be looking forward to the next snowfall.
New Beginnings
For me, 2018 closed in a cold rain. The year has been a challenge on many fronts - nothing insurmountable, but pressures have altered priorities, focused attention and activity. Engaging with the "friends I've never met" has had to take a back seat. But a New Year is a time to set goals (not just…Read more New Beginnings
Storm Surge
Along the barrier islands of North Carolina, storms regularly inundate the shoreline, undercutting and killing trees, which then fall into the sound. The actual shore shifts back and forth as erosion takes its toll. In some areas, fewer and fewer trees remain, as high water has become common enough that they can't get a foothold.
Campfires Make Everything Better
We had a pretty dreary weekend. Fortunately, we made the right call, with young, poorly equipped boys, to skip Friday night - that would have meant setting up and camping in a Nor'Easter. An inch and a half of rain, 30 mph wind, and 40 deg. Not a good first experience. Even with the decision to…Read more Campfires Make Everything Better
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 