Alan Freed=GroundHOG Day - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/02/2004 10:33:15 AM · #9

Heh! I'm on my way home from Punxsutawney as we speak... tons of pictures on the CF cards! I have also been awake since noon yesterday, so I'm getting a little loopy...

Morgan

Nikon D800

02/02/2004 11:25:07 AM · #10

Originally posted by zerocusa:

what's GH day?

Have a look here. History of Groundhog Day

The official site is down, likely too much traffic?

Groundhog Day is a silly tradition that is still kept to theoretically predict the end of winter. After two or three months in the cold and snow of a difficult winter, we all get rather silly over here in North America. It is just a bit of fun. You can read the history at the link provided.

Message edited by author 2004-02-02 11:25:43.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/02/2004 12:22:37 PM · #11

Alrighty... as Punxsutawney Phil's official webmaster, I'm proud to present a few shots from this morning's festivities in Punxsutawney!

Be sure to watch for me on the news tonight! I'll be the one dressed in many layers of clothes :)

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

02/02/2004 12:23:17 PM · #12

Next thing you know, you'll be telling me Santa Claus doesn't exist. I know he does exist, I saw him at the Mall last year.

Originally posted by Morgan:

Originally posted by zerocusa:
what's GH day?

Have a look here. History of Groundhog Day

The official site is down, likely too much traffic?

Groundhog Day is a silly tradition that is still kept to theoretically predict the end of winter. After two or three months in the cold and snow of a difficult winter, we all get rather silly over here in North America. It is just a bit of fun. You can read the history at the link provided.

justine

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/02/2004 12:29:26 PM · #13

These are very nice Alan thanks for posting. Great job. It make me think I missed a fun party!!! These are the best shots ever of Phil. Congrats, hope you get some rest. Happy Ground Hog Day!

Morgan

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/02/2004 12:44:11 PM · #14

Santa Who? What's his name? Never heard of him!

Is it related to some Maritimer pagan ritual that you East Coasters celebrate? LOL

Originally posted by Jacko:

Next thing you know, you'll be telling me Santa Claus doesn't exist. I know he does exist, I saw him at the Mall last year.

Originally posted by Morgan:

Originally posted by zerocusa:
what's GH day?

Have a look here. History of Groundhog Day

The official site is down, likely too much traffic?

Groundhog Day is a silly tradition that is still kept to theoretically predict the end of winter. After two or three months in the cold and snow of a difficult winter, we all get rather silly over here in North America. It is just a bit of fun. You can read the history at the link provided.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/02/2004 01:02:59 PM · #15

Good shots, but you missed out the most important info...

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

02/02/2004 01:54:24 PM · #16

So what's the verdict Alan? It was a bright sunshiney day here in Charm City. Did Phil see his shadow? Did he snap a digital for the 24 hr challenge?

Thanks for the pix. Looks like a good time was had by all, even Phil is showing his pearly whites.

Morgan

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/02/2004 02:06:36 PM · #17

I heard that we are all set for six more weeks of winter - yikes!

Who believes in groundhogs anyway?
Bad news stateside, but eastern Canada holds out some hope

CP-AP

Three of North America's top furry forecasters had some bad news for the winter-weary today. Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania's prognosticator, Wiarton Willie, Ontario's best-known Groundhog Day woodchuck, and Alberta's Balzac Billy saw their shadows after squirming out of their burrows, signalling six more weeks of snowy and cold weather.

Their outlook flies against the prediction of Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia's best-known groundhog, who got the weather-prediction wheel moving early on Groundhog Day. Sam failed to cast a shadow upon exiting his winter home, pointing to an early spring.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/02/2004 02:26:26 PM · #18

Great shots! Looks like a lot of fun! Glad you finally posted them. I tried to pacify everyone with an Ohio sunrise because they were getting restless.
I didn't know we had Phil's official webmaster represented here at DPC! Are you going to offer photos signed by Phil?

KarenB

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

02/02/2004 02:43:14 PM · #19

Great job, per usual Alan! I saw the clips on the news while at the gym.. I was looking to see if I could see you.. but, I didn't :(

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

02/02/2004 05:06:42 PM · #20

Yes, Phil did indeed see his shadow... so that means six more weeks of winter. I just got up from a little nap -- I had been up 24 hours straight, so I was ready for a few winks!

To spot me in the crowd, look for a person with a Steelers coat and a black wool cap. I was right in the front, getting up close and personal with Phil.

amsmyth

Nikon D50

02/02/2004 06:47:18 PM · #21

More history - it's not just American..

Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.

If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.

The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important.

According to an old English song:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

OneSweetSin

Nikon D3000

02/02/2004 07:15:49 PM · #22

Those were dome fantastic photos Alan. One of these years I am going to brave the cold and join you for the festivities.