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 
Without encouraging them with string and stuff, mourning doves are nesting again on our front porch. We have seen hatchlings make it to fledglings and also failure. We try to use the back door for our coming and going, but the nest is nearly under your nose if you come onto the front porch. Out of cat reach, at least. I haven’t peeked lately, but there is at least one egg.
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So, we’re about two or three weeks early, no? Esp. with vegetation . . .
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Kinda depends anymore. For instance, looking at the first redbuds opening, this year it was around March 25, which is 2 weeks earlier than last year, 3 weeks earlier than 2013, but behind 2012, the year of the drought, when redbuds were blooming by the 21st of May. My sense in 2007 when I wrote Wild Douglas County was that the first week of April was the “normal” time for redbuds to open, so by that we are ahead a little more than a week, with plenty of room for “climate weirding” to mix it up a bit….
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I think this is useful information to keep track of. Glad you are doing some of it. Memory doesn’t serve as well as it might.
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