We're still waiting on that first big snowfall in the Northland, and so are some of the animals. The coats of snowshoe hare and ermine have turned white, but that seasonal defense mechanism won't be useful without snow cover. "I had no less than three different days this week that I saw the ermine," says Larry Weber, who also spotted a snowshoe hare. "It was quite unactive... sitting there hoping it wasn't going to be seen."
December is also an interesting time for astronomy. Earlier sunsets and shorter days mean more time for starshine. Next week, between the 12th and the 14th, the Geminid meteor shower looks to line up with the new moon. The lack of moonlight will make spotting meteors much easier.
You can hear Backyard Almanac every Friday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
