Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I Knew It Would Be a Mild Winter

Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Isabella Tiger Moth larva) (Pyrrharctia isabella)-5.jpg
Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Isabella Tiger Moth larva) (Pyrrharctia isabella)

I photographed this woolly bear caterpillar on September 18, 2011 as it crawled down the road up back of the house. I had seen a couple of others here and there and they all looked like this: a broad red-brown stripe between two short black stripes. I knew immediately that we would have a mile winter. How? Here is a quote from the Old Farmer's Almanac:

According to legend, the wider that middle brown section is (i.e., the more brown segments there are), the milder the coming winter will be. Conversely, a narrow brown band is said to predict a harsh winter.

_/\_/\_

2 comments:

  1. Gosh. I remember furry catapillars from my youth when I fearlessly allow them to creep along my finger. I would gently them and then set them back on a leaf low to the ground.

    I wouldn't do it today. There is something about the creeping crawling feeling that gives me the (not good) shivers.

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    Replies
    1. Know what, Annie? That is most likely the best thing you could do! From what I read, fuzzy caterpillars can be toxic. Some are even irritating if you touch them. So keep on doing what you're doing! And thank you for dropping in!

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