I live in the United Kingdom where our
most familiar memories of the four seasons are the Spring
flowers, Summer warmth, Autumn leaves, and Winter snow. Then
of course we all remember the long cold and dark nights in
the winter and then the long warm days of summer with spring
and autumn in between.
These are the main differences between the
seasons.
Spring
As the winter snow turns to rain and the days
get longer, the farmers plant their fields. Animals like the
hedgehog wake up from their long winter sleep. New flowers
and the buds on the trees burst into life. Insects abound
carrying pollen from flower to flower. Lots of baby animals
such as lambs and calf's are born. The birds build their
nests and lay their eggs. It's the busiest season of the
year.
Summer
The days are much longer and the weather much
warmer. The eggs the birds laid hatch out and the young feed
on the insects attracted by the carpet of new flowers.
Occasionally the skies darken and we have a thunderstorm and
sometimes we get very little rain which can also be a
problem. As the suns rays are very strong, we have to be
careful but most of us enjoy family holidays during the warm
summer months.
Autumn
The farmers harvest their crops and we enjoy
a wonderful choice of fruit and vegetables. The leaves on
the trees change from summer green to many wonderful shades
of autumn brown. We must not forget to collect the seeds to
plant out in spring next year. The wind blows stronger with
a really cold chill and winter is on it's way.
Winter
The days are short and nights are long. The
skies are grey with occasional sun. The plants and flowers
have gone to sleep until spring comes round once again. One
thing we must not forget, the birds need food and drink
which we can get.
Now, do you know what an Equinox
is?
There are just two days in a whole year where
we have exactly twelve hours day and twelve hours of night.
These are called Equinoxes which means equal day and night
and are on round about March 21st and September 23rd.
Do you know what an solstice is?
Well there is just one day in a whole year
where it is very dark and cold. It is the shortest day of
the year with the longest night. This is called the winter
solstice and is on December 21st.
There is also just one day in a whole year
where it is very light and we have the longest day of the
year with the shortest night. This is called the summer
solstice and is on June 21st.