New Hampshire Nature Notes
by Eric Orff

Spring signs are scarce.

Tuesday 02/15/2005

Despite a day into the 30's with a mix of snow and rain overnight, today is more winter-like than spring like. The cold air held fast to this part of New Hampshire overnight so the heavy rain that was predicted never materialized to wash the snow away. Consequently we ended up with more snow than rain leaving an inch ort so of slush. I have smelled only one skunk so far and have not even heard a chickadee spring call yet. The near zero temps predicted for the next several days will keep spring on hold for a while. But once this cold spell breaks watch out for spring signs.

Last Wednesday I awoke to a prediction of 20 to 30 inches of snow in this part of New Hampshire for the next day. Thursday was the day that several of my family were scheduled to fly to Washington DC to attend my son Adam's graduation from his 6 months of training to be a Secret Service officer.

My wife and I hurriedly rescheduled our flight for Wednesday evening to make sure we would be at his Friday event. But as the day progressed I had doubts of the forecast. We had a steady warm wind from the West and a couple days before the top of Mount Washington had set record highs for two days into the 40's. The whole atmosphere was warm, too warm I though to support snow but more likely rain. I kept telling my mother and wife on the plane trip that it was going to be rain. I just don't think the weather people stepped outside to FEEL the weather but relied on their computer predictions. Turns out I was right as it was mostly rain which was great as my other family members and Adam's best friend Derek and wife Shannon were able to fly down Thursday evening. There were thirteen family and friends that attended a very nice graduation ceremony Friday morning at the Secret Service Training Center.

We all had a great time in DC hitting several museums as well as the Washington Mall area to see the WWII memorial that has been constructed since I was there last. It was so cold that only my nephew, Sonam, and ventured up the steps to the Lincoln Memorial. I took a great photo of him on the steps looking toward the Washington Monument.

We also made it to the new Air and Space Museum at the Dulles Airport that included the Enola Gay on display. My father was in the aircraft business all his career, first as a Navy torpedo man during WWII and then as a mechanic for several airlines until he retired in the 80's. I spent my whole life around and fascinated by aircraft. There were so many to see in this new exhibit including a Concord and a space shuttle mock-up.

Wildlife wise, it was still winter in DC although nearly all the snow had melted and there was green grass all over the place. Saw a few robins and mocking birds, but mostly tons of city birds. There was quite a flock of geese on the reflecting pool by the Lincoln Memorial. Gray squirrels were every where, even a couple of black colored ones. I saw one dead deer along the highway. Pretty much city, city, city and people, people, people every where. Not a place for me to live. Though I plan to take advantage of my son working there as I would really like to spend lots more time at many of the museums. Except for the first evening it was below normal for temperatures and very windy making for some very cold days walking to see the sights. Still a wonderful time with family members. A very rewarding experience for us all attending Adam's swearing-in as a Secret Service officer. This has been a goal of his since grammar school. We are all so proud of his accomplishment!