Trixology

Weather => General Weather Discussion => Topic started by: elagache on February 02, 2017, 11:29:56 PM

Title: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: elagache on February 02, 2017, 11:29:56 PM
Dear WeatherCat users who cannot wait for Spring to come,

Today is groundhog day and you might have heard the bad news that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/02/513017478/groundhog-day-2017-winter-is-still-coming-punxsutawney-phil-says) - meaning another 6 weeks of winter.

Nonetheless, obviously these 3 plum trees didn't get that memo:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-XdjMPzR/0/XL/Plum%20trees%20in%20bloom%20next%20to%20San%20Leandro%20creek-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-XdjMPzR/A)

The two pink trees are the same ones I posted earlier.  As you can see the white tree is also blooming enthusiastically, so like it or not - as far as these trees are concerned - Spring is here!

As before, the line of plum trees across the street from these blooming trees still don't have any signs of life.  So the whole situation is rather puzzling.  Still,we can enjoy it as a preview of the return of Spring we all look forward to!  [sun2]

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]

P.S. If you look just a bit to the right of the white plum tree, you'll see the trunk of a birch tree that has snapped off after about 4 feet.  So the storm damage is almost everywhere you look.
Title: Drowned Daffodils (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on February 20, 2017, 11:35:51 PM
Dear WeatherCat seekers of Spring,

Spring is attempting to sprung in Northern California, but it is being drowned in the attempt.  I took this photo of our small Daffodils this afternoon:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-FrFrZ8D/0/XL/Small%20Daffodils%20in%20the%20rain%20-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-FrFrZ8D/A)

At the moment, Spring displays aren't coping very well with all the rain and breaks in the weather are expected to be few for the next week.

Oh well, . . . . Edouard
Title: CA Spring gone before Spring! (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on March 10, 2017, 10:33:46 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The last rain was only 4 days ago, but the sunny weather is causing many plants to grow with great vigor.  The early blooming trees are already losing their blossoms and are starting to get their leaves.  There are Apple trees and others that bloom later in the season, but they are much less numerous.  I did manage to capture this tree next to little creek that I've featured earlier:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-XsKs9GB/0/X2/Blooming%20tree%20next%20to%20waterfall%20-X2.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-XsKs9GB/A)

I know the equinox isn't for another 10 days, but I might be already have photographed my last scene of Spring.

So who's next! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/camera_small.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: JohnDoe1983 on March 16, 2017, 03:13:25 PM
Lucky you.

Here is what I got yesterday.  Will be a long time before i can see any flowers.
Title: Thanks for sharing (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on March 16, 2017, 10:26:26 PM
Dear John and WeatherCat "higher latitudes" types

Quote from: JohnDoe1983 on March 16, 2017, 03:13:25 PM
Here is what I got yesterday.  Will be a long time before i can see any flowers.

Thanks for sharing even if it might have been better to post this photo in our thread of scenes of winter.

When you do get those flowers please do post a picture or two.  By then arid California will most likely have no more flowers and that will make your garden a welcome break from the dried grasses that dominate our summer.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: CA Poppies for the Equinox! (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on March 19, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the shanging seasons,

With the Spring Equinox about 12 hours away, what better way for a Californian to mark it's arrival than with some California Poppies!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-SnhGbsG/0/XL/California%20Poppies%20in%20the%20grass-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-SnhGbsG/A)

Unfortunately, California Poppies don't have the sort of leaf structure that allows them to outgrow grasses.  So this will not be a particularly good season for them.  Nonetheless, they are showing more determination than I expected given that the grasses had a serious head start.

Enjoy and for those for whom Spring seems way off - hang it there!  [tup]  Spring will most certainly come to you in time.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: wurzelmac on March 24, 2017, 01:08:55 PM
Seems like spring has found us here in the deepest Alps now, too!  :)

(https://www.unterwurzacher.at/downloads/01spring_2017.jpg)
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on March 24, 2017, 03:28:03 PM
This is what Spring looks like here in Northern Utah. We received 3 inches of snow yesterday and the forecast calls for an additional 3 inches tomorrow, but today is gorgeous.
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: wurzelmac on March 24, 2017, 06:24:39 PM
Looks very cool, Blick!   [snow]
Title: Thanks for sharing and keep da' faith! (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on March 24, 2017, 09:48:51 PM
Dear Reinhard, Blick and WeatherCat observers of the changing seasons,

Quote from: wurzelmac on March 24, 2017, 01:08:55 PM
Seems like spring has found us here in the deepest Alps now, too!  :)

Beautiful!  Thanks for sharing!

Quote from: Blicj11 on March 24, 2017, 03:28:03 PM
This is what Spring looks like here in Northern Utah. We received 3 inches of snow yesterday and the forecast calls for an additional 3 inches tomorrow, but today is gorgeous.

We are probably getting the rain that will become snow for you tomorrow, but keep the faith!  The green will return to your neck of the woods also and with all that precipitation it should be really beautiful in the way we normally associate with Spring!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Easter lilies in the rain. (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on April 16, 2017, 11:26:13 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the changing seasons,

Rain on Easter is probably not that uncommon in many parts of the world.  In California on the other hand it is unusual.  Nonetheless this very wet 2016-17 rainy season continued the trend even on Easter.  Here are some Easter Calla Lilies in the rain:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-x8pGCh3/0/XL/Easter%20lilies%20in%20the%20rain-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-x8pGCh3/A)

Here is some California Poppies and other flowers also getting wet:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-RvztQ9k/0/XL/CA%20Poppies%20and%20other%20flowers%20in%20the%20rain-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-RvztQ9k/A)

It isn't a large storm.  We've picked up just 0.18" (4.6mm) thus far and we should get a bit more.  Still it is enough so I still haven't had to start watering and that's water saved for the summer.  Two more storms are expected through mid-week so the plants can benefit from natural watering just a little bit longer.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]

P.S. It is mid-April, haven't some of you other folks got some pretty flowers to photograph?
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on April 18, 2017, 04:02:35 PM
Lovely photos, mate. We are down to 2 feet of snow here so no flowers yet. Rain the forecast today, followed by some snow overnight, but winter is definitely retreating here.
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on April 22, 2017, 08:53:31 PM
Proof that I went outside on Earth Day. Spring is coming.
Title: The downside of milder weather (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on April 22, 2017, 11:15:51 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat watchers of the seasons turning.

Quote from: Blicj11 on April 22, 2017, 08:53:31 PM
Proof that I went outside on Earth Day. Spring is coming.

Neat picture!

While I didn't take any pictures, I was busy in the yard.  I mowed for the first time since last year.  I had to change the oil in my mower as well.  The rains hit so fast last year that I didn't have a chance to make that usual "last mow" and change the oil!

It doesn't look like you'll be needing to trim things outside for a while still!

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Irises in bloom. (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017).
Post by: elagache on April 23, 2017, 11:43:25 PM
Dear WeatherCat lovers of beautiful scenery,

A house in the neighborhood has some Irises that come out every spring.  I didn't have my DSLR, just my iPhone, but that was good enough for this picture:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-vwCv8Gc/0/XL/Irises%20in%20bloom-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-vwCv8Gc/A)

These days almost everyone has a smart-phone, so what's your excuse for not snapping a glimpse of Spring in your corner of the world?

Who's next! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/camera_small.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Cap is back on the rain gauge (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on April 28, 2017, 11:26:23 PM
Dear WeatherCat lovers of Spring,

It has been a drought-breaking wet season here in California, but alas the normal pattern of wet and dry seasons remains.  Very dramatically the temperatures are going up and the ground is drying rapidly.  We usually get a little rain in May, but whatever we do get won't be able to wet the ground sufficiently.  From now on, the ground will continue to dry until the first serious rains of next autumn.

As the ground dries, the plants will soon start running out of moisture.  One of the first that will run out are the California Poppies.  Even with their deep roots, they don't last very long in the heat.  So displays like this will soon be gone:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-SQWPQxC/0/2738a67d/XL/Row%20of%20California%20Poppies-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-SQWPQxC/A)

Other flowering plants will also stop blooming in short order like this Wisteria:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-KwBZfrN/0/298a3ce0/XL/Wisteria-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-KwBZfrN/A)

With the warming temperatures and off-shore winds, Spring will soon vanish from California leaving the arid Summer conditions.

I put my dust cap back on the top the rain gauge collector cone.  No reason to allow the rain gauge to get dusty and nothing else.  While at least we have sufficient water to water, that means I have to start watering.  Since I never have enough time, this is another chore that don't look forward to.

Oh well, . . . . Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: xairbusdriver on April 29, 2017, 01:22:07 AM
Are there any details in the forum about this "dust cap" you mentioned? Search didn't turn up any info. I found my funnel almost completely blocked by pollen!!! [banghead]
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Steve on April 29, 2017, 12:44:46 PM
 This 7" cap fits the old style cone. I don't know what you have, though. I use it when watering the garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MURNOY/
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: xairbusdriver on April 29, 2017, 02:06:45 PM
uhmmn... Guess I misunderstood. The "dust cap" Steve linked to would certainly keep "dust" out! And birds, leaves, snow, sleet, hail and rain! [lol] I was thinking of some more along the lines of a microphone 'breath' guard; basically a piece of nylon hosiery stretched over a loop of wire/plastic. The fine weave actually stops the plosives from consonants like "p", "b", etc. from getting into a sound/recording system.
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/xAirbusDriver/_35_zpslxv0k4ks.jpg)
Of course, anything over the intake may deflect/splash some rain and reduce accuracy. [WCSmall] I guess weekly inspections/cleanings are the solution. "This year seems to have an excessive amount of dust/pollen", he said after sneezing... again! cmu:-)
Title: FYI project (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on April 29, 2017, 11:04:14 PM
Dear X-Air, Steve, and WeatherCat instrument customizing types,

Quote from: xairbusdriver on April 29, 2017, 01:22:07 AM
Are there any details in the forum about this "dust cap" you mentioned? Search didn't turn up any info. I found my funnel almost completely blocked by pollen!!! [banghead]

My old write-up on how I did this appears to have been lost.  So I recreated it:

http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2468.0 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2468.0)

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Steve on April 30, 2017, 12:47:19 PM
Quote from: xairbusdriver on April 29, 2017, 02:06:45 PM
uhmmn... Guess I misunderstood. The "dust cap" Steve linked to would certainly keep "dust" out! And birds, leaves, snow, sleet, hail and rain! [lol]

Those folks out west that do not get rain for several months at a time cover their rain collector to keep other stuff out. No rain, so no need to let rain through.
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: xairbusdriver on April 30, 2017, 02:12:49 PM
While we are losing trees because he soil is so wet so deep the roots have nothing solid to hold to. Good time not to be a farmer... it's 'easy' to pump scare water out of the aquifer. It's a bit more difficult to remove excess surface water.

Currently have five NWS Alerts (wet & windy):
Title: Sharp fellers d'em NWS types . . . (Was: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on April 30, 2017, 11:56:11 PM
Dear Steve, X-Air, and WeatherCat fans of "understatement," . . . .  [rolleyes2]

Quote from: xairbusdriver on April 30, 2017, 02:12:49 PM
Currently have five NWS Alerts (wet & windy):
  • SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY
  • Flash Flood Watch
  • Flood Warning
  • Flood Advisory
  • Wind Advisory

 [wink]

Hmmm, Doesn't the remaining 4 advisories make it clear that there is some significant weather going on?  Isn't that kind of beating on a dead horse? (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/deadhorse.gif)

 [biggrin]

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: First air conditioner day of 2017! (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 02, 2017, 12:12:12 AM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the increasingly rapid changing of the seasons,

We had 0.02" of rain on April 26th with a high of 59˚ F (15˚ C).  We are in day #2 of a projected 4 day heat wave.  Thus far it isn't extremely hot 85˚ F (29˚ C) but the afternoon is remaining hot with no significant cooling until late in the evening.  Under those conditions the house cannot be effectively cooled down and the build-up of heat finally took the house over the threshold of the air conditioner thermostat.  So we had our first A/C day on May 1st!

In a nearby court, I had noticed a cute little California poppy literally growing through a crack in the concrete.  I had planned to bring my DSLR on Wednesday and take a nice picture of it.  With the sudden heat, I wasn't sure it would survive until Wednesday so I took this quick photo with my iPhone today:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-zdGCCjh/0/bc819476/XL/California%20Poppy%20growing%20through%20concrete-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-zdGCCjh/A)

Not the best of pictures, but it gives you some idea of how tenacious these wildflowers can be.  Even so, encased in concrete, I don't think this little plant will hang on very long in the increasing heat.   The forecast called for continued warming until Thursday.  I don't know if this poppy will still be there on Wednesday or not.

Believe it or not, there is a chance for at least a little rain on Saturday!

Cheers, Edouard   
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: bcurry on May 02, 2017, 02:44:50 PM
Hi all,
This is probably considered cheating, but it IS Spring in the Turks and Caicos, where we just got back from...
Please don't hate me...

 [cheers1]

Bill
(http://www.billcurry.ca/weather/sails.jpg)

(http://www.billcurry.ca/weather/WeatherCatBanner.jpg)


Title: Get in any scuba? (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 02, 2017, 11:04:03 PM
Dear Bill and WeatherCat users who need to escape to the tropics from time to time,

Quote from: bcurry on May 02, 2017, 02:44:50 PM
This is probably considered cheating, but it IS Spring in the Turks and Caicos, where we just got back from...
Please don't hate me...

Of course not and you are 100% correct, it is springtime according to the calendar in the Turks and Caicos.  Although in tropical setting it is normally accepted that there aren't any real seasons.

So did you get in any scuba diving while you were there? (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/Scuba-smiley-emoticon-small.gif) I've never gone there but supposedly it has decent tropical diving.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on May 03, 2017, 01:40:02 AM
Awesome photo Bill. Thanks for sharing. I've been there too and it is a lovely place. We are still nursing 2+ feet of snow here.

The closest I have been to your location is watching Republic of Doyle on television and I know Newfoundland is not the same island. Someday, Nova Scotia is on my bucket list.
Title: Spring's final act in Northern CA (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 05, 2017, 11:02:50 PM
Dear WeatherCat watchers of the seasons turning,

After our first heat wave of 2017, signs of Spring are rapidly vanishing in Northern California.  However, there is traditionally one last display: the blooming of the wild mustard plants on the hills:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-FXHg97v/0/bf915449/XL/Wild%20mustard%20flowers-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-FXHg97v/A)

As you can see, the grasses have already turned to seed and turned brown.  Even with all that abundant rainfall, California turns dry in a hurry.  I checked the last of our drip irrigation system today.  It is time to get the lawn sprinklers ready for summer.  All this happening a little too fast for me to keep up!

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on May 05, 2017, 11:58:59 PM
I am one of only four CoCoRaHS stations in North America reporting more than 10 inches of snow remaining on the ground but we lost 6 inches to melting yesterday and today is even warmer so I expect to see some green signs of spring soon.
Title: Hope your camera is ready! (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 06, 2017, 11:10:57 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat watchers of the seasons turning,

Quote from: Blicj11 on May 05, 2017, 11:58:59 PM
I am one of only four CoCoRaHS stations in North America reporting more than 10 inches of snow remaining on the ground but we lost 6 inches to melting yesterday and today is even warmer so I expect to see some green signs of spring soon.

I do hope you can take some lovely Spring photos because it is definitely Summer here at this point.  I had to mow the lawn for the second time this year and I just checked the sprinklers so that they can go to work starting tonight!

Cheers, Edouard
Title: A tale of two California poppies (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 08, 2017, 11:42:22 PM
Dear WeatherCat watchers of the seasons turning,

I spotted an even more extreme example of California poppies growing out of a seemingly impossible location:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-cthW7hM/0/191c30cf/XL/California%20poppies%20growing%20through%20rocks-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-cthW7hM/A)

These flowers are literally growing through the stone wall behind them and are looking perfectly healthy.  In contrast here are some poppies dueling it out with wild grasses:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-MkrdNcG/0/1c627ad3/XL/California%20poppies%20growing%20in%20tall%20grass-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Spring-2017/i-MkrdNcG/A)

Given that poppies can't outgrow grass, they do best in places were grass cannot grow.  So a stone wall will due if they can run a shoot beyond the rocks.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on May 17, 2017, 06:14:48 PM
I awoke to 6 inches of fresh snow this morning and we had a hard freeze overnight so the green buds on the Aspen trees and other promising signs of Spring are buried under a blanket of white stuff and some ice.
[cold]
Title: Yesterday's cold front? (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 17, 2017, 11:36:52 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat observers of the seasons . . . . going yo-yo!

Quote from: Blicj11 on May 17, 2017, 06:14:48 PM
I awoke to 6 inches of fresh snow this morning and we had a hard freeze overnight so the green buds on the Aspen trees and other promising signs of Spring are buried under a blanket of white stuff and some ice.

It probably has something to do with the spell of cold weather we had these past few days.  There was a trough of low pressure and small storms traversing through it.  The last one came through yesterday and was mostly to the North and East of us.  As a result we didn't get any rain at all, but perhaps it provided your snow.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Scenes of Spring 2017 captured by the WeatherCat community.
Post by: Blicj11 on May 18, 2017, 05:35:17 PM
We got another two inches of snow last night and the overnight low set an all-time record for the month of May: 11?F

Fortunately, I removed my snow tires last week and turned off the boiler for the summer season. It is currently 58?F inside the cabin. #goodplanning  :)

 [freeze]
Title: The best made plans . . . . . (Re: Scenes of Spring 2017)
Post by: elagache on May 18, 2017, 11:43:32 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat strategic planners, . . . .

Quote from: Blicj11 on May 18, 2017, 05:35:17 PM
We got another two inches of snow last night and the overnight low set an all-time record for the month of May: 11?F

Fortunately, I removed my snow tires last week and turned off the boiler for the summer season. It is currently 58?F inside the cabin. #goodplanning  :)

 [freeze]

That reminds me of another Murphy-ism:

The best made plans of mice and men are . . . . . . . about equal! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/D'oh.gif)

We are headed into a heat wave for the weekend and normal to above normal temperatures after that.  So perhaps you are "enjoying"  [cold1] the last gasps of the cold spell we had in mid-May and perhaps the heat will reach you shortly.  [sun2]

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]