Posted by Darren Huski on January 25, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Here it is in late January and we already are getting dandylions. It was 70-80 most of the week and they popped out all over the place. Spring is only a few days away in Texas. The Bradford Pears are about a month out.
Sure we might get some cold snaps in Feb but it is time to start thinking about spring.
cheers!
Posted by Larry Daniel on January 25, 2009 at 10:36 PM
It may be spring in TX, it is 21 degrees here.
Posted by Scott Bean on January 25, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Yeah rub it in!! It is only 16 right now in my neck of the woods...I can't wait for spring to finally get here!
Posted by Randy Wilson on January 26, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Ice storm warning in northwest Arkansas from noon today to six Wednesday morning.
I'm happy to wait awhile for spring to arrive - I love winter here in Arkansas! We could use a little more snow and ice (I'll love it if it arrives, but am always a skeptic and have not seen a really good ice storm here in many years), but it is a great season even without. There are so many neat things to photograph in the winter landscape, including many species of wildlife that we don't have the rest of the year - I just ordered another pile of 16gb cards - it is all in the attitude I guess - I say get out and shoot it and enjoy before it is all gone and GREEN takes over!
Posted by Randy Wilson on January 26, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Yeah, I love winter and love living in a place that has four seasons. I guess I'm getting old, though, because I don't much care for driving on ice any more, if I ever did, and I hope I don't lose heat from ice taking out power lines.
I bet getting up and down that mountain is going to be sort of like pinball on a skating rink for a few days, if we get what they think is coming. But I agree, when it comes to snow or ice forecasts, I don't even believe their 100% prediction until I see it coming down and on the ground.
Posted by Brad Mangas on January 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Living in an area that experiences dramatic changes in seasons is a real blessing. The landscape and wildlife as Tim mentioned is like no other in the middle of winter. Kansas has a fairly equal balance of winter and summer with spring and fall thrown in for extra excitement. I just couldn't imagine it any better way. Think I will wait until at least March before I start making the mental switch from winter to spring.
Thanks Darren for sharing your neck of the woods.
Posted by TIMERNST on January 26, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Hey Randy, that's one of many reasons why I moved out here to the place where I take pictures anyway - all I have to do is open the door and step outside! Many years ago when the last really big ice storm hit I was stranded at the cabin for five days - I could not even make it 10 feet out of the carport with my 4wd car, and very nearly went over the edge trying. I ended up using a sledge hammer over the course of two days to bust out a single track through 2" of solid ice that lead up the small hill out of here, and only then was I able to make a run for it - I had to make it to Springfield for my future-daughter's 7th birthday that evening and so was willing to do anything to get out - the pucker factor driving the next 8.5 miles on that solid ice was large - I don't think I could crap for a week! But it was all worth it as I made it in time for the party and it was great to see the big smile on her little face. I learned how valuable a pair of crampons were then (since I didn't have any) and now have several here - if I can just fine them....
Posted by Randy Wilson on January 26, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I can step outside and take pictures, too. Of the apartment complex across the five-lane highway.
A bit of irony just now - and SORRY Darren for taking about all of this winter stuff on your spring thread!
Right after I made my post above about ice, the phone rang - it was the very same young lady - they just closed school due to ice and I had to drive down into Boxley to pick her up! She is 16 now. The roads are just starting to ice up - 25 degrees and drizzle so I suspect we will get some nice ice afterall by morning, I hope.
Actually Randy, knowing you I bet you can come up with some really interesting ice images even in the middle of town...
Posted by Darren Huski on January 26, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Fellas-
I would agree about loving the winter, I like it too. Part of the reason I always end up taking the January business trips to Wisconsin at my day job.
But in Texas the winter is a very short season. We get our fall color between Thanksgiving and Christmas and our winter is really only Christmas to early Feb or so. We just have to get used to it. So while I am enjoying winter while it is here I am already planning on Big Bend for the cactus bloom.
Discussion
10 repliesSure we might get some cold snaps in Feb but it is time to start thinking about spring.
cheers!
I bet getting up and down that mountain is going to be sort of like pinball on a skating rink for a few days, if we get what they think is coming. But I agree, when it comes to snow or ice forecasts, I don't even believe their 100% prediction until I see it coming down and on the ground.
Thanks Darren for sharing your neck of the woods.
Right after I made my post above about ice, the phone rang - it was the very same young lady - they just closed school due to ice and I had to drive down into Boxley to pick her up! She is 16 now. The roads are just starting to ice up - 25 degrees and drizzle so I suspect we will get some nice ice afterall by morning, I hope.
Actually Randy, knowing you I bet you can come up with some really interesting ice images even in the middle of town...
I would agree about loving the winter, I like it too. Part of the reason I always end up taking the January business trips to Wisconsin at my day job.
But in Texas the winter is a very short season. We get our fall color between Thanksgiving and Christmas and our winter is really only Christmas to early Feb or so. We just have to get used to it. So while I am enjoying winter while it is here I am already planning on Big Bend for the cactus bloom.