How about this groundhog, looking right at me?
Sighting along the Heritage Trail when I walked with my friend Jen Tuesday morning. She spotted him.
I was not thinking about his being in the rodent family.
Mary and I have been to Punxsutawney twice to celebrate Groundhog Day holiday and also to Woodstock, Illinois where they filmed the movie.
Virtual this year @ 6:30 AM EST
https://www.groundhog.org/
Groundhog Day Traditions casts a shadow back to Medieval Europe –
Candian Press article
Joanne baked a Groundhog Day cake with Shadow Feb 2020
My sister photographed a groundhog puppet I gave her
and here is a reblog of our February 2014 PUNXSUTAWNEY ADVENTURE
Groundhog’s Day 2014-
We were there to see Phil the Groundhog rousted out of his slumber, and taken out from his cozy stump to see his shadow amidst the brotherhood of the Inner Circle of Gobbler’s Knob. The men were all dressed in top hats and formal attire.
Twenty four years ago (before the 1993 movie) my sister Mary and I drove in the middle of a foggy night to see the groundhog. I can tell you that it was a much different this trip. Last time we just parked on the side of the road and walked up the hill to Gobbler’s Knob. The whole event was well orchestrated and incredibly efficient, especially with the number of people coming to town. Lots of dedicated people making a concerted effort to insure everyone’s safe and happy experience! Everyone pleasant and a festive atmosphere. We had fun and were really glad it was rain rain and more rain instead of ice and snow snow snow!
Laura thought she’d like to go last year since it was on a weekend but it was super cold and I had an photography show opening that weekend and it didn’t work out. “Next year”, I said. “Next year.” Laura wanted to cross it off her Bucket List.
Mary came out from NYC on the train Thursday night and Laura drove in Saturday morning from Columbus OH.
We went to bed at 8:30 PM Saturday night and got up at 2:40 AM.
Pulled out of the driveway around 3:20AM and drove the 74 miles to Punxsutawney PA. Not to0 much traffic but when we got there the Wal-Mart parking lot was already filled up. We were able to find a spot behind the County Market in Groundhog Plaza and walked two blocks to a McDonald’s where we got $5 round trip tickets for the bus to Gobbler’s Knob.
Just like Shuey had told us (he went last year in the bitter cold, driving his MOTORCYCLE from Niceville, Florida) it was “easy peasy.” The crowd was estimated at 30,000 and yes, it rained on us the entire time but the temp was about 37 so no ice, no snow and none of us felt cold or miserable. I’d wrapped the camera in a couple of plastic bags and rubber bands on the end of the lens. At one point we were asked to all pull out our cell phones an light the place like a concert with a lighter. A fellow art teacher plays the bass fiddle in a band The Beagle Brothers and they played a few sets starting at 3AM. Oh, the Star Spangled Banner, too.
We stopped in at County Market to buy a couple of magnets and use their nice restroom. The clerk had been there since the night before at 10:30 and her shift ended at 6AM.
School buses lined up to take Groundhog Fans to Gobbler’s Knob
On our way to the buses we saw this Groundhog Bride. Groundhog Weddings were available but no “walk-ins”
Laura at Gobbler’s Knob
Cell phones light Gobbler’s Knob
Thirty minutes of Zambelli Fireworks in the woods was an unexpected delight.
The Beagle Brothers band
The Beagle Brothers played a few sets and the National Anthem. Fellow art teacher Kyle on the Bass Fiddle. Nice job!
Piles of snow and Television Trucks
Phil’s handlers belong to the Inner Circle.
Uh oh. He saw his shadow. SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!!!
Six more weeks of winter, he predicts. The crowd let out a collective groan.
A fellow groundhog fan took our photo on Gobbler’s Knob
Josh (dogmatic liveart) painted Groundhog Day right on the spot!
his palette
Groundhog fans checking their photos and messages.
Headed for the buses at Gobbler’s Knob
Groundhog Fan with Groundhog Hat
Another shot as the light increases in the sky- Laura at Gobbler’s Knob
Photographer on Gobbler’s Knob
After the Prognostication
Getting on the bus for downtown
Kids playing on piles of dirty snow
Necessary facilities
Groundhog Statues all over town!
Celebration Tent
Downtown Punxsutawney
Mr. Tom Uberti shook my hand and welcomed me to Punxsutawney. AKA Big Windmaker. He graciously allowed me to “shoot him.”
Pittsburgh PA
Wigle Whiskey Distillery in the Strip District.
Samples of Phil’s Shadow whiskey were tasted.
Photos taken with Phil.
(Becky B #Januarylight Challenge )
Phil-a-Palooza Night with Punxsutawney Phil. World renowned prognosticator. The members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club are sporting the top hats.
Getting ready for Groundhog Day February 2.
Cheers
Punxsutawney Phil, the perennial groundhog, declared he saw his shadow at sunrise, Friday February 2nd. Groundhog Day.
No early Spring for us.
How often is he accurate? Less than 50% of the time according to this article by Justin Boggs.
Hope he’s inaccurate this year.
I’ve been to see this event twice which might be in your bucket list. And Last year’s Groundhog Compendium
Through the years on the blog.Happy Groundhog’s Day.
Groundhog’s Day first celebration in Punxsutawney was in 1886.
Snippets from previous Groundhog’s Day Posts. If you want more pics or details, click on underlined links.
Let’s see if there is a clear day with a shadow or an early Spring for 2017.
History of Groundhog’s Day– from Stormfax
Groundhog Day Filmed in Woodstock Illinois
Punxsutawney Phil Declares 6 More Weeks of Winter
Shout out to Kyle Kline on the bass
And yes we were there Me. Laura and my sister Mary
Groundhog Sports Black and Gold Beads
Michael on left and Jack on the right with Baby Groundhog (a family puppet)
Groundhog BrewSkumps Groundhog
Groundhog Day Movie Capture Pittsburgh SkylineThe Pittsburgh Skyline before all the neon signs on the buildings
It was Jack’s idea. Take a picture of him tossing his sock monkey in the air.
This weekend I got to be a useful grandma and help watch the younger 3 grandkids while Anna and her mom went to Cincinnati to a swim meet.
The bonus is I got to practice photography- catch motion, suffed animal mid-air, press the shutter, experiment with the new SONY mirrorless camera. Get a sense of the timing.
The kids were in jammies and ready for bed.
But hey, let’s throw stuffed animals in the air! Maura got the groundhog up and his shadow appeared on the wall!
Below Polish Hill, turning onto Liberty Ave into the Strip District. Here is what I saw.
He got out from under the cars as we were all stopped at the red light.
Instead of crossing the road, he kept walking back under the cars.
Good thing I had my camera on the front seat.
Good thing he didn’t get squished. I felt sorry for the groundhog.
Too much concrete to burrow in.
(And my car windows need a wash)
Just a snippet. I saw movement.
Coming under the cars. Oh no.
Go the other way. He did eventually.
I felt badly for the groundhog but at least he finally made it to the side before the light turned green. But what then?
Spring!
We are eager for it to begin. In earnest.
Monday there was a two hour delay due to ice, snow and sleet. It was unexpected and I heard it on the radio as I was already driving to school.
Can we trust the groundhog? Phil said it would be an early Spring. Well Phil, it’s Spring tomorrow on the clock and calendar but it feels like WINTER today. Chilly and gray. We are ready for blossoms, muddy earth, warm breezes. Saturday I saw my first robin in the back on the porch post.
Now I know, no one reads the blog for the weather report but the change of seasons is significant. We just want to be reassured that a true Spring is coming and will warm us up. SOON. (Florida readers- I saw those photographs of you in short sleeved shirts!!)
Before school I stopped in at the Giant Eagle and bought this bouquet. I took the daffodils to school for the students to photograph. They were buds in the morning and by the afternoon they had opened.
You can see the set up with the background of folded white paper to eliminate clutter. When I was ready to go home and the lights were off, this is what I saw.
Thanks Kristin
Happy Groundhog’s Day. A friend sent an email of a groundhog finding a Lombardi trophy as a shadow.
You can click here for all the serious information from the official website in Punxsutawney PA.
I hear there are some competitors around the country but Phil lives close by …. “If Candlemas be fair and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year.” or this poem from Wikipedia “In Scotland the tradition may also derive from an English poem:
As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop
