Subscriber only. This week's collection of Sightings
Brian sent two photos, one of a swimming beaver and the other of a woodchuck (groundhog). Because of space constraints we only have room for one so I chose the latter. As most know, the woodchuck or groundhog is looked upon as the predictor of an early or late spring, depending on whether or not it sees its shadow on Groundhog Day (February 2nd). Google tells us the lore came from “ the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks ; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.” I also learned that in Europe it was originally the bear that was closely studied for the prediction but when bears became scarce people turned to the badger as an available alternative. However badgers were apparently in short supply in Pennsylvania when the Dutch immigrants arrived so their choice was the groundhog and the tradition survives today. Thankfully, February 2nd must have been cloudy here in New Brunswick as we have enjoyed a very early spring this year. Jim