Signs of Spring in February
We have passed through the longest night of the Winter Solstice. Soon, Imbolc or St. Brigid’s day arrives. It occurs Feb. 1st, 2020 and is one of eight days that mark the food growing cycles of nature in the Celtic Calendar. Imbolc honors Brigid, the goddess of the hearth. It is a celebration of the Imbolc season with rites and rituals that honor the themes of the end of Winter.
Now is the season many of the early egg layers, build their nests. The Great Horned Owl, Blue, Gray and Stellar’s Jays are just a few of the early nesters. The Canada Jay, starts nest-building in February when there is a still snow on the ground. In the southern part of the Gray Jays range, eggs; on average are laid around March 21st; they hatch around April 10th; and the young leave the nest around May 1st—well before most migratory birds have even returned to the forest.
Although February can be one of our coldest months, the sun has truly returned to the land and a ‘sense of awakening’ gently stirs in the forest. Keep your eyes peeled for footprints, wing marks in the snow, teeth marks on trees. All of these are the wonderful signs of the wildlife that continue to thrive during the winter months.
Here in the foothills, warmer days often arrive mid to late February. In the Rocky Mountains the Back-country ski season has started. The snowpack that has accumulated by February end, is the one that will fill our rivers, our water supply and be part of the Spring run-off.
What signs of Spring do you notice at this time? Do you have questions about where to harvest the Balsam buds? Contact us at info@full-circle-adventures.com to find out more.
