The midpoint of winter is marked by one of our favorite animal friends – the groundhog.  This hibernating creature has been immortalized in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day.”  In the movie, Bill Murray relives Groundhog Day over and over, for approximately 42 days (it is actually only 36 days by some estimates).  Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog and real star of the movie, predicts whether we will have six more weeks (42 days) of winter.  If Phil does not see his shadow, then we will have an early spring.  And most everyone hopes for an early spring

Punxsutawnwy Phil sees his shadow

So, can we consider ground hogs to be a good predictor of spring?  Maybe they are just a folkloric part of nature.  However, we are looking for those signs in nature to tell us when spring will be here.   (It officially arrives on March 20th in 2012).  These various signs help us feel better that spring is around the corner.  There are other predictors, as well.  Have you seen any of the early flowering bulbs begin to emerge?  Forsythia starts to flower heralding the advent of the season.  I just saw a crocus blooming in my yard.  What nature related indicators can you identify?