May 2015

Thursday May 7th, 2015

Greetings and welcome!

It was a warm and windy day today. We saw low 80s but the wind tempered that a little. We had sustained strong winds and gusts that had to go into the upper 30s.

The rain hasn’t made it here as of dinner time. Yesterday looking at the storm it was this massive river of moisture pumping northward and drenching the central Midwest. I couldn’t see how it could miss us with the wide coverage and heavy rain. The storm also caused 50 tornadoes and some areas saw flash flooding when over 6” of rain hit them. Thankfully that was hundreds of miles away.

It does look like we could get some rain for tomorrow. The storm is pretty played out compared to yesterday’s version, but there are still some lines of rain and storms heading this way.

When I was watching the clouds at lunch today I could see that thunderclouds were starting to form, but the tops were being sheared off before they could grow into anything meaningful. The surface winds were stronger than mid-level winds, and the cloud tops were being dragged behind or sheared off before they could grow into a productive rain cloud. If they were going to go severe like the storm did in the plains states I am ok with missing out on the rain.

Once the storm passes we are in for a little cooler weekend. There is a chance of rain lingering into early Saturday and another chance later Sunday. The filling in the middle should bring a decent mid to upper 60s weekend.

The green word is definitely on the grow. The early week rain brought rapid growth and changes that were visible daily. A lot of trees are getting first leaves, and the grass really took off. The cherry trees are in bloom, and the maples have gone from dropping red flowers to forming helicopters and the first leaf buds. Some ferns have sprouted, and more are on the way.

There have been a few deer up by the road, but less than last week by far. I think that as more land greens up the road is less attractive. I have not seen as many turkeys as I did in April, but I did see one strutting in a freshly planted field yesterday.

That is about it from here. Have a good weekend and thank you for visiting!

RJB

Monday May 4th, 2015

Greetings and welcome!

It was indeed a beautiful weekend. There was some wind, but that was ok, it was  a warm wind and it helped to keep the bugs down. The bug of the week was the gnat, and they were out in force at my house. Like I said the wind helped.

I also kind of had it coming. I was mulching the leaves with the mowers since they were so nice and dry, and apparently that stirred up a few gnats. The grass didn’t really need cutting, with the exception of some of the more aggressive crabgrass, but it was good to mulch up the leaves and thatch and give the new green grass a little light.

The grass has greened up, but the green explosion of all of the trees and ferns and underbrush has not started yet. The maples are dropping their red flowers. I am seeing first buds on some bushes ( pussy willows?) and the ferns are close to bursting forth.

I think that the lack of rain has slowed the greening down a little. I usually look for things to green up about May 10th, but with the early departure of the snow and warm weather in the past few weeks it probably would have started by now with normal rainfall.

We had a good storm last night. There was some lightning, a few wind gusts and some rumbles of thunder. The first thunderstorm of the season made a good show. It also brought almost 3/4″ of much needed rain.

There is a small chance for rain mid- week with the best chance for Thursday and Friday. The weekend looks dry with highs in the mid to upper 60s.

Fishermen had mixed results last weekend. I saw some nice walleyes taken and some people were getting skunked. One person  reported seeing the first snapping turtle up laying eggs. That is pretty early, but we are about a week ahead on spring this year.

I also recall from my younger days that I had good fishing when the turtles are up. It is probably time to tune up the boat and hit the lakes.

Time for me to get back to work..

Have a good week and thank you for visiting!

RJB

Friday May 1st, 2015

Greetings and welcome!

It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! The weekend is finally here!

Today the ATV trails open, tomorrow fishing opens, and the weather forecast still looks like a great one!

-Fire danger- Yesterday the DNR moved the fire danger to Very High, only one step from the top level- Extreme. Their web site said that all open burning has been prohibited. While strongly discouraged, you can still have a campfire for cooking or warming.

When I went by the DNR station in Wausaukee yesterday the fire crews had the trucks out, the bulldozer was loaded, and they were dressed in turnout gear. I’d say that it is serious.

I saw my first wood tick the other day. I had it coming making firewood and working in tall grass, but it was a landmark. Guys that work in the woods said that they had them a few weeks ago. I am guessing that the dry conditions are keeping them in check at least a little, I only had that one.

Fishing should be better than average for opening day tomorrow. The water temperatures are well ahead of normal. When I was outside yesterday afternoon the moon looked like it was about 7/8 full, another good sign. Good luck anglers!

Time to make the donuts..

Have a great weekend and thank you for visiting!

RJB