Good news! Regional groundhogs predict an early spring!
You’ve probably heard of Pennsylvania’s famous Punxsutawney Phil, but you may not have realized that Ohio has its very own springtime prognosticator. His name is Buckeye Chuck. Buckeye Chuck lives in Marion, Ohio, and he has been foretelling spring since the 1970s. Despite the frigid weather, hundreds gathered in Marion this morning to learn whether Buckeye Chuck could see his shadow. It turns out that he could NOT, I repeat, NOT see his shadow… which means that we are going to have an early spring. Why does it mean there will be an early spring? Why indeed. However Punxsutawney Phil in neighboring Pennsylvania was also unable to see his shadow this morning, so we are doubly assured of an early spring.
It is a tradition in Marion eat grilled SPAM on groundhog day because SPAM is ground hog… get it? 
The local boy scouts did the honors of serving this holiday dish to the crowd.
Wherever you are this Groundhog Day, I hope you are having a happy one.
Additional information
- Wikipedia: Groundhog
More on Nature Events in Ohio
Biggest Week in American Birding 2016
Magee Marsh during the “Biggest Week in American Birding” 2015
Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day!
Beginning Birder at the “Biggest Week in American Birding”
I laughed at your first photo and caption! Well done!!
I fell asleep toward the end of “Groundhog Day”…. the movie. I still never found out how it ended.
Nice piece on this interesting character. I didn’t know he was a Buckeye!