Six More Weeks of Winter?

What does it mean when a squirrel sees its shadow?

I know. Today is Groundhog Day but did you know that groundhogs (woodchucks) and squirrels are closely related?

It is true! The groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family, Sciuridae.

I should have known because they both eat everything in the garden!

So, what is the official word from Punxsutawney Phil?

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2, 2026, which means that we are in for six more weeks of winter. The official prognostication occurred at roughly 7:25 a.m. ~Almanac.com

What about Buckeye Chuck? Did he see his shadow today?

Buckeye Chuck did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring in Ohio. The prediction occurred at roughly 7:40 a.m

Squirrel concurs with Buckeye Chuck here in our backyard and is predicting and hoping for an early spring!

UPDATE: 10:20 AM

It is snowing.

The Grackles invaded.

And poor squirrel buried his head in the food log.

Definitely not spring-like weather today.

“. . . a day to take everything a little less seriously and break up the winter monotony… at least for a little while!”

~As the folks in Punxsutawney say