Yes we could and will get a few reminders that winter is not over but there are a few signs that Ol Man Winters days are numbered. The sun is getting higher in the sky each day and the strength of it's rays are really noticeable when you sit in an out of the wind location. Last week while ice fishing on two beautiful days I got sunburned and now people are asking me if I went to Florida for a few days as the burn has now gone tan. Though it will undoubtedly snow it won't stay around as long as it would in January. Water temps are rising little by little. Ice on the ponds is not long for this world here on the Cape and by the end of the month the Hatchery in Sandwich will be looking to start stocking for the spring as soon as water tests show the right conditions. Next week will be the halfway point in February. Today at lunch outside it was 50 degrees here in Mattapoisett at my office and I saw bugs flying around. Robins winter over on Cape Cod and I have seen them almost all winter though they travel in tight groups. By March 15th I will be inundated with them as thier brethren that did go south will show in greater numbers. This week I have seen three Turkey Vultures so they are moving back in the area. It doesn't get dark until 5:30 and at six it is still light on the western horizon. If this weather holds someone will report seeing scouts in the local Falmouth Herring runs as usual in late February and the White perch though no where near their once prolific numbers will start to run up some of the Capes southside marsh creeks. I will be confident I will see a redwing blackbird just after the migrating robins as I have for the last 20 years here and that is a real sign. Daffodil bulbs are showing emerging growth along my foundation where the snow has melted and I will need to cover them in order to protect them. Look for snowdrops along the old stone walls of 17th century hopuses along Rt. 6a in Barnstable and Yarmouth by earlly March. Spring has a feeling and a smell soon you will all be able to smell it coming as everything thaws and then you will get that feeling. In 4 weeks we will be wading the edges of Cape trout ponds throwing Rooster tail spinners and 5 weeks after that I will be standing in the narrows of Cotuit catching the first bright fish of 05. It's coming slow but sure.
Hybrid Mode
