Dennis, I've been predicting an early & hard (i.e., "normal") winter based
on the early breakdown of the summer blocking high and the recent incursion
of fronts, as well as the return of the traditional weather forecast of
some ten years ago (and my mantra): "early morning low clouds, chance of
drizzle, with partial afternoon clearing." I've been looking for wooly
bear caterpillers to validate this prediction but your VATH observation
seems validation enough. Have Juncos shown up yet? I haven't been feeding
so I'm unlikely to see them 'til later.

Herb Curl
Seattle WA

h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
Seattle, WA 98115-0070
(206) 526-6272