ScienceWoman is an assistant professor in -ology. She blogs about the intersection of science and real life - primarily based on her first-hand experiences. Her older posts can be found 
Alice Pawley is an assistant professor of It is GORGEOUS outside here in West Lafayette. About 60 degrees and sunny! I'm quite losing my head.
Evidence of this is that as many of my doors and windows that I can open are indeed open. I know the weather will turn later in the week, but for now, I can turf out a little winter mustiness. And have acute delusions of gardening.
Because my doors were open, however, I also got to catch a fabulous sight. I heard the noise before I saw them, knew enough to grab my camera, and rushed outside in my socks.
Here's my evidence of spring, and I must confess in advance that I cropped the photo - my zoom is not this good.
I think they must be sandhill cranes - I've never in my life seen so many, let alone flying!! Can someone confirm for me?
It was quite thrilling, and I think it wasn't just that I was drunk on the weather.
Comments
Yeah, we had seventies yesterday here in Kansas. But don't get too carried away by it. What's coming behind a day behind it isn't nearly so pretty.
Posted by: Ron Schott | March 2, 2008 6:32 PM
I hate not being able to edit my comments once they're posted - I'd like to remove that first "behind" - but I'll also add that Interstate 70 is currently closed west of the Kansas-Colorado border due to blizzard conditions.
Posted by: Ron Schott | March 2, 2008 6:35 PM
Yup, those are likely sandhill cranes! And the cooing noises they make are fascinating. Down here in north Florida, they've been flying in big flocks for a few weeks. Enjoy the weather up there while you can!
Posted by: Jessica Light | March 2, 2008 6:40 PM
Wow. And at that time it was about 20 degrees here in NYC. I don't mind the cold too much, but your description of open windows and 60 degree weather sounds pretty appealing! We're headed in that direction with 50's and rain today...
Posted by: Flicka Mawa | March 4, 2008 11:05 PM