Ken Lassman has been keeping this almanac for over a decade, He invites you to share your observations and photos in the comments section. You can find his book Wild Douglas County at The Raven Bookstore and The Community Mercantile in Lawrence.
Frost on Inside of Lodge Moon: January
Another name for this moon according to the Osage Indians of the area is Moon Stands Alone, which considering how cold it can be, makes sense as well. This is an excellent time of year to observe wildlife, though–because of the lack of leaves, the presence of snow or mud for leaving tracks in, and the tendency of many animals to move around in flocks and packs, Overwintering birds of many species gather into winter flocks, perched raptors looking for food, and the sound if not the sight of geese are regular sights if you spend much time outside.
This month is also a good time to learn different tree species by their buds, limb patterns and bark. It is also a good time to learn about the local geology using books like Rex Buchanan’s Roadside Kansas to determine the ages and names of various shales, sandstones and limestone outcrops along area highway road cuts.
The days are finally starting to lengthen, and winter sunsets are legendary in our part of the country, with the low angle of the sun lighting up the underside of clouds, setting the sky on fire at times. Cirrus clouds can create conditions perfect for sun dogs and other rainbow-like optical effects during the day due to the ice crystals. Blowing snow and clouds from snow showers can also create sun pillars near sunrise and sunset, where the sun becomes encased in a pillar of light caused by the light scattering action of millions of ice crystals.
Kaw Valley Almanac 
Ken: I am so glad that Linda Evans told me about this post that you do every week! One question: on the moon info, what does “Moon south” mean? Thanks for your good work! -Nancy Hawkins ________________________________________
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“Moon south” refers to the moment the moon is at the southernmost point in the sky. Like the sun, the moon rises in the east and sets in the west, and like the sun, “noon” is the southernmost or half way point in the path it takes across the sky from rising to setting. If the sky is clear, it’s easy to know when the sun is at its southernmost point/noon, but the moon’s “noon” moves later almost an hour each day in relation to the sun’s “noon.” But it’s also the time when the moon is highest in the sky, so if it’s a decent time of day, it can be a good time to look for it. Right now, with the moon just past full, I love to watch it setting in the west in the morning. By the time it gets to last quarter moon (next week), it’s a good time to look to the south and see the shrinking moon hanging high in the south during the morning times listed in next week’s “Moon south” column. Let me know what you think!
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