Friday, March 20, 2009

THE EQUINOX and THAW WATCH #2


The Vernal, or Spring, Equinox arrived in my time zone at 7:44 am EST (photo left). Of course, since blogging has expanded my world view, I realize that all four of the major annual divisions, Summer and Winter Solstices, Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes, mean the opposite to those in the southern hemisphere. The planet seems a lot bigger to me now, because through blogging, it's gotten so much smaller. I'm losing both my Northern and North American default perspective, and I couldn't be happier about it!


My Thaw Watch posts didn't have much of a run. The first one was on March 11th, and the chilly below-freezing nights kept things mostly unchanged. Then, as if right on cue for the local observance of northern spring, Lake Erie suddenly and overnight lost all it's ice landscape except for the shrunken remnants of the two biggest 'mountains.' (for more photos, see the previous post for Skywatch). Immediately, the waters teemed with mergansers, scaups, golden-eyes, buffleheads, and the odd grebe. Throw in the gulls and it's a raucus mad scrabble out there on the open blue. So far, there hasn't been enough wind to raise waves, and it's still too chilly over night to have the window open, but before long I'll be having to get used to the noise again. The lake comes up right to the armor rocks at the breakwall, so it's either a calm quiet or a loud slapping or even some crash-boom, not the gentle lapping of waves sidling up to a sandy shore. It usually takes me a few restless night to get used to the drama after months of winter silence.



Here's a view of the backyards facing Point Pelee, including a tiny bit of my patio, the low white building. The freeze-up came so quickly last year I didn't get a chance to empty those white hanging flower baskets, and they sat there all winter, conveniently out of sight under a big drift. (click for details)

12 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a magnificent view you have! And if spring is touching your world, surely it will reach mine soon! I agree, with blogging you do have another sense of the world as a whole! It's great! Have a great weekend!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Deb---you are truly blessed to live where you do, right on the lake. Even though it gets bitterly cold in the winter, it has to be a marvelous place to live the rest of the year... Great photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

Aleta said...

*sigh* I wish I could live there or visit, just to say I was there and could take those marvelous pictures!

We are in the 70's today, feels like Spring. We'll have Spring for a day or so and then go head strong into Summer. Blah.

bobbie said...

Wonderful post and pictures! You are fortunate to live on the lake.

Another blog, appropriate to the equinox - Caroline is back! carolinescrayons.blogspot.com She's telling about the Iranian New Year, in her own wonderful way.

Great Grandma Lin said...

wow what a fun though cold in winter place to live. lots of action and wildlife...

Indrani said...

The long wait for spring is over, FINALLY! Good shots!

SandyCarlson said...

This series is wonderful. I am all for thaw at this poing. Blogging sure has changed my perspective, too. I am always mindful of the other hemisphere now. (Hemispheres, I suppose--depending on the way you slice it.)

Kim said...

What a great view. I can only imagine the sound of all of those birds once your windows are open!

Anonymous said...

What a difference a day makes! I didn't think about the sound of the birds on the water, that makes it even more interesting.

Glad your ice went out quietly. I saw the ice on the shore last week in Michigan, I think it was.

Beth P. said...

YEAH! The meltdown has happened. I was holding my breath!

Thanks for the photos!

Quiet Paths said...

It is stunning how quickly that all melted. I am really surprised for that was a lot of ice. I think I still see a lot of ice out further in the big picture. Lovely, lovely view. That won't be the last time I write that here.

Rose said...

I am so behind in blogging....I keep trying to catch up. Hard to believe all that ice is gone though.