Signs of Spring/Summer

JL Girl · 04-04-2005, 11:04 PM

Have been reading about ice-out and weather watches but haven't seen a thread specifically about what signals to you that spring or summer is coming. My sign is when I notice that Jojo's Store on the Moultonborough Neck Road is going to open soon - speicifcally this year on April 15th. Went by there on the way to town this morning and the lights were on, and a message was on their marquee out front. I gave a cheer and felt uplifted! What's your special signal?

Pepper · 04-05-2005, 07:23 AM

Only the gardeners among us will understand this, but my special sign comes on that morning when you open the door and outside all you can smell is the earth. Wet, fragrant earth just waiting to be turned and planted. It's usually the same day I notice that some of my bulbs are beginning to poke up little green points. I'm happy to report that day was late last week, so spring is officially here for me!

upthesaukee · 04-05-2005, 04:19 PM

Nice Avitar...Pepper want a cracker??????

Merrymeeting · 04-05-2005, 08:35 PM

My son and I started the winter debris cleanup tonight. We still have snow in several areas of the yard here in central MA...yet the black flies are starting to come out. Got my first bite.

upthesaukee · 04-05-2005, 09:40 PM

For my wife and I..."And what time would you like to tee off????"

Ah yes, chase that elusive white ball over the hills and dales, trying to put it into 18 holes that seem to be the size of a thimble. Can't wait!

pmj · 04-06-2005, 04:13 AM

Taking the cover off the boat! That is happening this weekend...YEAH!!

pmj

Belmont Resident · 04-06-2005, 04:45 AM

Saw that sign on Jojo's also. I also noticed 2 loons hanging out in front of Trexlers Marina all day yesterday. Thought it was early for loons and figured they were ducks but after watching them for some time there was no doubt they were young loons.

Paugus Bay Resident · 04-06-2005, 06:44 AM

The smell of mulch (I know, sounds kind of weird)

ApS · 04-06-2005, 06:46 AM

Spring's black flies only bother me while I'm in clearings -- or on the water. (Lots of forest still here -- and only distant exposed brooks, where they are supposed to breed).

There's been a flurry of ducks my way this past week.

Scoters, goldeneye, and common mergansers (Merganser male: black head, white body, smaller than a loon. Merganser female: Rust-colored head with a "cowlick" crest).

The scoters were diving under the ice and, after fishing awhile, napped: One on the water, one on the ice.

I get cold feet just watching! How do they do it?

(Update -- just 15 minutes later)

Our usual Phoebe just arrived at the porch railing, no doubt the male looking for a place to build his usual nest site. (It's too much work to discourage him -- I've tried).

Next, he'll be battling with a robin who likes to build at the same location. (Robins will destroy the phoebe's nest. So for the underdog, I will chase away the robin).

In a few days, we'll hear the repeated buzzy song fee-bee? fee-bee! as he sings to attract a female (who likes the nest site -- and him).

Since Phoebes eat bugs, it's a sure sign of spring's arrival.

Rattlesnake Gal · 04-06-2005, 07:04 AM

These days the best sign is when the boat is moved to the driveway for clean up. Not much longer now!

Merrymeeting · 04-06-2005, 08:06 AM

In addition to the black flies last night, I pulled a tick off this morning! Guess they are all very hungry after the long winter.

carole · 04-06-2005, 08:30 AM

When the hummingbirds show up

Just Sold · 04-06-2005, 08:34 AM

Another sure sign of spring will be when we see activity at the gas dock on the Anchor Marine Cam. Seeing the door open on the little office is another sure sign of the lake coming to life so keep an eye open.

Remember last year when Sea Tow's boat sank at the dock in early May?

mcdude · 04-06-2005, 09:38 AM

another sure sign of Spring......

"Hello Mcdude ,

SAD, SAD DAY!
As of 4 PM April 3, 2005 Gunstock is closed for the winter season. As sad as the end of another great season of skiing and riding is, you learned in the last newsletter just how much fun we have in the summer season."

Newbiesaukee · 04-06-2005, 12:28 PM

In Florida, the first sign of Spring is the appearance of the newspaper supplement giving hurricane preparation instructions ( the season starts June 1 ). With a little luck, I will have already been at the Lake for a month.

Grant · 04-06-2005, 12:51 PM

Dusting off the wetsuit. Overhauling the regulator. Adding some silicon grease to the O-rings on the BC. Waiting for the water temperature to go above 40. Watching the ice-out sites for signs of open water.

AND...wondering just exactly WHAT those elusive Lakers like to bite!!!

Silver Duck · 04-06-2005, 07:02 PM

Here in Billerica the lakes are open, our daffodils are in bloom (on the sourth side of our house only), I saw one of the resident swans this past weekend in the little pond where Rte. 3 meets Rte. 495 , and this morning I heard the first Spring Peepers.

Now all I need are the two magic words - ice out!

Silver Duck

WeirsBeachBoater · 04-06-2005, 08:41 PM

The Mount, Sophie and Doris all got uncovered tuesday!!!

Island Time · 04-07-2005, 08:36 AM

Nobody mentioned opening day of baseball season. That is the sure sign for me. Patriots day and the marathon comes next, and then the first trip of the season on the boat. Have a new first mate this year. He is only 8 months old, but loves the water already.

tricia1218 · 04-07-2005, 02:29 PM

The sound of the birds when leaving for work in the morning is a sure sign for me!

phoenix · 04-07-2005, 03:10 PM

island time great to here we have another new Winni jealot with your new son

GWC... · 04-10-2005, 12:08 PM

Setting the clocks ahead is a sure fired reminder of the season of the year and what naturally follows...

04-04-2005, 11:04 PM	#1
JL Girl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 76 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Signs of Spring/Summer Have been reading about ice-out and weather watches but haven't seen a thread specifically about what signals to you that spring or summer is coming. My sign is when I notice that Jojo's Store on the Moultonborough Neck Road is going to open soon - speicifcally this year on April 15th. Went by there on the way to town this morning and the lights were on, and a message was on their marquee out front. I gave a cheer and felt uplifted! What's your special signal?

04-05-2005, 07:23 AM	#2
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	The smell of the earth! Only the gardeners among us will understand this, but my special sign comes on that morning when you open the door and outside all you can smell is the earth. Wet, fragrant earth just waiting to be turned and planted. It's usually the same day I notice that some of my bulbs are beginning to poke up little green points. I'm happy to report that day was late last week, so spring is officially here for me! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

04-05-2005, 04:19 PM	#3
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,397 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	Nice Avitar...Pepper want a cracker?????? __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-05-2005, 08:35 PM	#4
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	Black Flies! My son and I started the winter debris cleanup tonight. We still have snow in several areas of the yard here in central MA...yet the black flies are starting to come out. Got my first bite.

04-05-2005, 09:40 PM	#5
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,397 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	For my wife and I..."And what time would you like to tee off????" Ah yes, chase that elusive white ball over the hills and dales, trying to put it into 18 holes that seem to be the size of a thimble. Can't wait! __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-06-2005, 04:13 AM	#6
pmj Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 240 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sure sign of spring Taking the cover off the boat! That is happening this weekend...YEAH!! pmj

04-06-2005, 04:45 AM	#7
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 409 Times in 251 Posts	Loons Saw that sign on Jojo's also. I also noticed 2 loons hanging out in front of Trexlers Marina all day yesterday. Thought it was early for loons and figured they were ducks but after watching them for some time there was no doubt they were young loons. __________________ "better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, then a long life spent in a miserable way.."

04-06-2005, 06:44 AM	#8
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 92 Times in 51 Posts	The smell of mulch (I know, sounds kind of weird)

04-06-2005, 06:46 AM	#9
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,788 Thanks: 2,084 Thanked 742 Times in 532 Posts	Spring's black flies only bother me while I'm in clearings -- or on the water. (Lots of forest still here -- and only distant exposed brooks, where they are supposed to breed). There's been a flurry of ducks my way this past week. Scoters, goldeneye, and common mergansers (Merganser male: black head, white body, smaller than a loon. Merganser female: Rust-colored head with a "cowlick" crest). The scoters were diving under the ice and, after fishing awhile, *napped: One on the water, one on the ice. I get cold feet just watching! How do they do it? (Update -- just 15 minutes later) Our usual Phoebe just arrived at the porch railing, no doubt the male looking for a place to build his usual nest site. (It's too much work to discourage him -- I've tried). Next, he'll be battling with a robin who likes to build at the same location. (Robins will destroy the phoebe's nest. So for the underdog, I will* chase away the robin). In a few days, we'll hear the repeated buzzy song fee-bee? fee-bee! as he sings to attract a female (who likes the nest site -- and him). Since Phoebes eat bugs, it's a sure sign of spring's arrival. __________________ Every MP who enters Winter Harbor will pass by my porch of 67 years... Last edited by ApS; 04-06-2005 at 07:06 AM. Reason: Update

04-06-2005, 07:04 AM	#10
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	These days the best sign is when the boat is moved to the driveway for clean up. Not much longer now!

04-06-2005, 08:06 AM	#11
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	More bugs! In addition to the black flies last night, I pulled a tick off this morning! Guess they are all very hungry after the long winter.

04-06-2005, 08:30 AM	#12
carole Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	When the hummingbirds show up

04-06-2005, 08:34 AM	#13
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	Anchor Marine Cam Another sure sign of spring will be when we see activity at the gas dock on the Anchor Marine Cam. Seeing the door open on the little office is another sure sign of the lake coming to life so keep an eye open. Remember last year when Sea Tow's boat sank at the dock in early May? __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata Last edited by Just Sold; 04-06-2005 at 10:44 AM. Reason: spelling

04-06-2005, 09:38 AM	#14
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,359 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts	From the last of the season Gunstock Newsletter another sure sign of Spring...... "Hello Mcdude , SAD, SAD DAY! As of 4 PM April 3, 2005 Gunstock is closed for the winter season. As sad as the end of another great season of skiing and riding is, you learned in the last newsletter just how much fun we have in the summer season."

04-06-2005, 12:28 PM	#15
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,349 Thanks: 922 Thanked 569 Times in 295 Posts	In Florida, the first sign of Spring is the appearance of the newspaper supplement giving hurricane preparation instructions ( the season starts June 1 ). With a little luck, I will have already been at the Lake for a month.

04-06-2005, 12:51 PM	#16
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,485 Thanks: 337 Thanked 212 Times in 116 Posts	Spring... Dusting off the wetsuit. Overhauling the regulator. Adding some silicon grease to the O-rings on the BC. Waiting for the water temperature to go above 40. Watching the ice-out sites for signs of open water. AND...wondering just exactly WHAT those elusive Lakers like to bite!!! __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

04-06-2005, 07:02 PM	#17
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Here in Billerica the lakes are open, our daffodils are in bloom (on the sourth side of our house only), I saw one of the resident swans this past weekend in the little pond where Rte. 3 meets Rte. 495 , and this morning I heard the first Spring Peepers. Now all I need are the two magic words - ice out! Silver Duck

04-06-2005, 08:41 PM	#18
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	Taking all the shrinkwrap off the boats! The Mount, Sophie and Doris all got uncovered tuesday!!!

04-07-2005, 08:36 AM	#19
Island Time Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nobody mentioned opening day of baseball season. That is the sure sign for me. Patriots day and the marathon comes next, and then the first trip of the season on the boat. Have a new first mate this year. He is only 8 months old, but loves the water already. __________________ Soon we'll be runnin' strictly on Island Time.

04-07-2005, 02:29 PM	#20
tricia1218 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MA/Paugus Bay Posts: 155 Thanks: 31 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	The sound of the birds when leaving for work in the morning is a sure sign for me!

04-07-2005, 03:10 PM	#21
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,519 Thanks: 58 Thanked 265 Times in 186 Posts	island time great to here we have another new Winni jealot with your new son

04-10-2005, 12:08 PM	#22
GWC... Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,325 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Spring ahead... Setting the clocks ahead is a sure fired reminder of the season of the year and what naturally follows...