Spring Clues

From the looks of things, it is VERY much winter here in our area.  No worries for us, though, as we are hardy folks and many of us find ways to enjoy what we have, from sledding to skiing to bird watching to simply watching the snow fall.  However, I believe most of us truly enjoy the privilege of watching four full seasons move through our region, each one with its own unique aspects that are anticipated as the clues begin.

I love to watch the shadows each morning with my kids as we wait for the bus.  In the fall we watch the clock to see how long it takes before the sunshine will reach the base of the trees and hit the ground in the morning.  Now, as spring closes in, we were positively gleeful this morning when we realized that not only was the sun's rays hitting the ground before the bus arrived, but it had illuminated half the meadow!

Knowing that Earth is now moving into a position where our continent would be tilted slightly toward the sun for a few months is very comforting to warm/sun-loving people.  However, understanding how the sun and Earth conduct their galactic dance can be pretty confusing, so let's take a look at a few facts:

• The sun is relatively stationary.  The earth travels around the sun, which takes a whole year.  That journey gives us seasons.
• The earth does not sit straight up and down.  It's tilted a bit.  This tilting causes the top (north) of the earth to lean toward the sun part of the year (summer and warm weather!).  The other part of the year the top has moved away from the sun (winter and cold weather!) while the bottom (south) is closer to the sun.  

• Depending upon where we are on the earth, we may have 4 seasons of winter, summer, fall, and spring.  Other areas of the earth may experience different seasons.  For example, those countries near the equator don't have their temperature change much, but their rainfall does.  They have two seasons:  the wet season and the dry season.

Rainy Season

Dry Season

• The earth spins one full turn each day, taking a full 24 hours to do it.  That spin gives us night and day.

To add to all of this space chatter, I follow the constellations, too.  Where I live in Pennsylvania, I can tell winter has arrived when I see my friend Orion in the night sky.  My friend in Australia, however, follows different star patterns, including the Southern Cross, which I can't see from my part of the world.

I love winter, and am enjoying every last snowflake.  But while I'm watching the snowflakes gradually add to Mill Creek out back, I'm also keeping an eye on new clues to the coming season.