February 2010 Almanac
~ THIS MONTH ~
February Offers More of January…With More Sun
As far as cold and snow go, February offers more of January – about the same temperatures and snow as the first month…just more light.
In January, the average high temperature in Portland drops slightly below freezing but nudges above that mark in February, but who notices in the dead of winter? It still feels cold because much of the time, the thermometer does stay below freezing for much of the day, particularly when working folks are out on the job.
By the second month, though, snow has piled up from Kittery to Fort Kent. In early January, years do pass with little snow in the South Country early in the first month – say New Year’s Day and a week or two into the New Year.
Just how much more light do we have?
On the winter solstice on Dec. 21, Portland has nine hours and 47 minutes of daylight or about eight hours and 47 minutes of time between the actual sunrise and sunset, but by February 21, those time frames look vastly different when daylight lasts 11 hours and 38 minutes and 10 hours and 38 minutes between the actual sunset and sunrise. By March 21 on the spring equinox, the sun gives us 13 hours of light, depending on latitude, and 12 hours of actual sunlight between the sunrise and sunset.
By February, snowmobiling booms across Maine because of the assurance of snow, and North Country hamlets thrive now as folks flock to small rural settlements and fill motels and sporting camps, and in the process, sledders eat at all the restaurants and stock up at convenience stores.
Studies show snowmobilers are big spenders and rural Northern Maine depends on these folks. Snowmobiler dollars save places like Rangeley, Jackman, Patten, Fort Kent and other small hamlets that floundered in winters before snowmobiles became a fact of life in the Pine Tree State.
Ice-fishing, rabbit-hunting and smelting tidal rivers flourish now as do other snow sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country.
Winter reminds us of the late Bill Silliker who shot images of bald eagles, wintering deer and waterfowl such as the rather rare Harlequin duck that winters here. This man worked hard through the white season in the Pine Tree State, getting images that still run on The Maine Sportsman’s cover from time to time.
Not only can folks shoot wildlife photos now, but a group of aesthetic types loves to get scenic images now, particularly after a sticky snow that covers trees. No one can go wrong shooting scenes after a big snowstorm.
Two activities in a Maine winter never get enough coverage – despite their immense popularity:
• Folks tie flies through the winter while dreaming of spring, a fun pastime that fills those fly boxes that looked depleted last fall.
• Folks have long nights to cook fancy meals with the spoils from the woods and waters – and folks do get fancy with venison roasts served on china and accompanied by excellent French wine in crystal wine glasses.
