gunny23

Was out with a flashlight a little while ago. I did see some new ones crawling in the tree that I saw some earlier today. This tree and ground around it gets the most sunlight so not surprised I don't have any in the woods/side yard yet. What I saw gazillions of in my flashlight beam was pollen grains. Wow...it's really bad out there.

Just checked my yard - had about 6 exoskeletons on one tree - rest of the trees were bare. Sterling, VA

My trusted meat thermometer was measuring an average of 65 in my yard in Eastern Loudoun....should be soon!

I don't get home until Sunday night so this is good news for me. I don't want miss any of it! Side note...for anyone who has the Galapagos on their bucket list, now is a great time to visit. Last minute rates are SUPER low and the islands are empty. Not to mention this place is AMAZING! Come June the water will start to get colder and choppier until December...and tourism is starting to pick up but still only 1/2 of the boats are in the water

My husband would be pissed if he knew I used his new quick read thermometer for smoking... I gave it a good cleaning haha

Yes...you are correct I also don't think they are coming anytime soon. Needs to be 80 for a few days for the soil to warm up to 64 and it's been a cold spring imho. I stuck a meat thermometer in a few places in my yard (don't tell my husband) and we are only up to 55 at most. I think the few coming now are just the advance team. I have definitely noticed more digging under one group of large trees. I think some critters know they are close and are starting to feast.

I love the annuals...crack my window just enough in summer to listen to them at night. I guess it is perception. I love the sounds of nature after years in the city as a "young adult". City sounds were fun at the time but I will take cicadas any day now that I am old! Not a fan of crickets though...can't stand crickets. In 2004 I had bought my first townhouse in a development built in 1992. There was buzzing for sure but not terrible. Now I live a few miles away in a heavily wooded neighborhood built in 1983. The trees/wooded area that edge my lawn are over 60 feet tall and have been around for a LONG time. My neighbors who are original owners and have lived through 2 cycles now tell me the noise will be deafening and I should be careful what I wish for. I say "Bring It!"

I love cicadas...maybe more than snow and weather. I've been waiting since 2004 for them to come back. Because if Covid we had to postpone our trip last summer to the Galapagos until this spring. My husband wanted to push it off as long as possible and not go until May or June but I needed to be back in time for the emergence so we leave in 10 days. Back May 2 so we shouldn't miss any! He thinks I'm nuts for choosing cicadas over Galapagos...lol Dug one up while weeding a couple of weeks ago and saw some holes while mulching today but no exoskeletons on the trees. They either went back in or were gobbled up. I live in a wooded older neighborhood. It was loud when some emerged early 3 years ago. I can't imagine what this year will be like.

Thanks Bob P.s.....good to have you back! I don't post much but have enjoyed your posts for years.

IMBY ?....I'm scheduled to leave ATL at 2 on Thurs, land at IAD at 4. Chances I will get in? It's a small regional jet which I know are the first to get cancelled. Normally wouldn't matter but we are heading out to Timberline noonish on Friday so I need to get home. Thinking about grabbing a late flight on Weds...

I just might do that and that is good info on the school. We pulled our daughter from LCPS because they are a disaster and my husband has been homeschooling but at some point we expect her to go back to public school. I was a bit worried about some of the schools so this is welcome news. We are definitely looking for more land - 3 - 5 acres but we also don't want to isolate our daughter who is an only child. I will check out Spring Mills - thanks!

@WVclimo - I live in Loudoun but we have decided to move to WV this spring - panhandle out as far NW as probably Falling Waters. I don't think we would go much past 81. We also have a 6th grader. Tips on communities out your way? We haven't spent a lot of time out there and just starting our research. We would have left NOVA earlier if it wasn't for the commute but the one good thing about Covid is it opened up teleworking. So we are out of here... Appreciate any tips/thoughts

I'm in Countryside - all sleet here now

Is that Red Gate? My daughter rides there

Several water rescues going on.

My husband was in on Saturday afternoon - he went gluten free in January but cheated with a Lefty Lucy!