February 2nd
Just like that - it is the beginning of February - half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Candlemas was originally a Celtic festival marking the "cross-quarter day," or midpoint of the season.
For us on the mountain, who heat with wood, we like to have at least half of our stack of wood remaining for the other half of the cold, wet days.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Boomer, or Mountain Beaver, Day is upon us. According to legend, if a Boomer sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; it it doesn't, then spring is right around the corner.
The Mountain Beaver, or Boomer, lives in the Pacific Northwest where water is plentiful from Northern California to British Columbia. The Boomer will dig tunnels near a year-around water source and dine on seedlings, ferns, rhododendrons, tree roots and grasses. To the frustrated gardener, the Boomer will also go after almost thing being grown - beans, tomatoes, squashes, peppers, etc. The forester may also trap and move the Boomers to protect the replanted tree seedlings.
The Boomer is a rodent, said to be the oldest living rodent, and is not at all related to a beaver. Their tunnels allow air and water to penetrate the soil. If the tunnels become abandoned, then other small animals - like opossums and skunks - may find a new home. The Boomers may also become food for larger animals, such as bobcats, coyotes, and owls.
Mountain Beavers are cautious animals and may folks who live here have never seen one. If they hear you coming they will go hide in their tunnels and they always stay near their tunnels. So if you head out on a walk be very quiet and alert, you may spot a Boomer.
Just like that - it is the beginning of February - half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Candlemas was originally a Celtic festival marking the "cross-quarter day," or midpoint of the season.
For us on the mountain, who heat with wood, we like to have at least half of our stack of wood remaining for the other half of the cold, wet days.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
Boomer, or Mountain Beaver, Day is upon us. According to legend, if a Boomer sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; it it doesn't, then spring is right around the corner.
The Mountain Beaver, or Boomer, lives in the Pacific Northwest where water is plentiful from Northern California to British Columbia. The Boomer will dig tunnels near a year-around water source and dine on seedlings, ferns, rhododendrons, tree roots and grasses. To the frustrated gardener, the Boomer will also go after almost thing being grown - beans, tomatoes, squashes, peppers, etc. The forester may also trap and move the Boomers to protect the replanted tree seedlings.
The Boomer is a rodent, said to be the oldest living rodent, and is not at all related to a beaver. Their tunnels allow air and water to penetrate the soil. If the tunnels become abandoned, then other small animals - like opossums and skunks - may find a new home. The Boomers may also become food for larger animals, such as bobcats, coyotes, and owls.
Mountain Beavers are cautious animals and may folks who live here have never seen one. If they hear you coming they will go hide in their tunnels and they always stay near their tunnels. So if you head out on a walk be very quiet and alert, you may spot a Boomer.
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