nathanlovestreesfinally, the time of year when all the annoying “signs of spring” posts go away and everyone can finally admit that it is spring without modifiers, even though “signs of spring” means it IS spring because that’s what spring is. astronomical spring is unremarkable to those of us who observe ecological spring
not sure what term to use here. ecological spring felt right in the moment but there are others that would be better I’m sure
good thing we have human astronomers to tell us when spring begins otherwise the plants and birds and insects would all be so confused!
one of the subtle (or maybe not so subtle) totalizing effects of blindly accepting astronomical seasons is that is makes a specific temperate seasonal model a global norm—spring, or any season, doesn’t happen at the same time everywhere. some places don’t even have the same seasons you do! learn what the seasons are and how to recognize them *where you are*
Corey Snipes 🌱@nathanlovestrees God, thank you. I feel this very strongly. I've been calling it "biological spring" but ecological spring is better, IMO. Most of my family would rather listen to the calendar, than step outside and listen to the world. Ah well.
@coreysnipes I almost typed biological spring! then I changed my mind haha… there are many kinds of springs! The skunk cabbages are a great indicator
Sarah dreams of beans@nathanlovestrees @adelinej I really love the proliferation of memes about the "actual" seasons in the pacific northwest, that have winter, false spring, second winter, etc. Junuary. "Spiders" as a season in the fall.
BrambleBearSnoring
Thomas@nathanlovestrees I've seen charts comparing Celtic, astronomical, and meteorological seasons. That doesn't seem like a bad term
@nathanlovestrees (auto-complete wanted to say astrological seasons which is hilarious)
@tfb (a bit of snow in March) looks like spring is in retrograde again!