The Daily Bucket is a place where we post and exchange our observations about what is happening in the natural world in our neighborhood. Bugs, buds, birds - each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are unwinding around us.
Seattle. March 30, 2012.
The coolest thing about the Daily Buckets is that in them we have records that we can refer back to as we note what's currently happening in our natural neighborhoods. A year ago yesterday I wrote on the spring development of the ferns that grow in the Forest. Today I returned to the same places with ferns on my mind, made some notes and took some pictures. I'll blockquote last year's comments for reference as I summarize what's happening with the ferns this year.
Note that I spent a lot of time looking for new fern growth a week ago Friday but found nothing but a few Bracken fiddleheads. A week makes such a difference, though it might be that I was away for part of that time and returned with fresh eyes.
Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
March 29, 2011 - There are six ferns that can been seen from the trails in the forest, the most common of which is the Western Sword Fern... Last year's fronds are faded and bedraggled, but the new fronds are beginning to swell.
March 30, 2012 - Last year's fronds are still fresh. New fronds are just developing in the dark parts of the forest, and are beginning to unfurl in the more sheltered areas.
March 30, 2012. Sword Fern - new fronds in a sheltered place.
Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
March 29, 2011 - Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is usually the first to send up fiddleheads. I reported seeing a single one about a month ago - very early. Over the last couple of days other fiddleheads have emerged in sheltered areas.
March 30, 2012 - I found emerging Bracken fiddleheads a month ago in the same location as the earliest one found last year. That location may be prime for early Bracken development. Other Bracken fern have unfurled throughout the forest. Most are between calf and knee high. Some have developed secondary fronds.
Lady Fern (Athyrium felix-femina) and Wood Fern (Dryopteris austriaca)
March 29, 2011 - Lady Fern is a deciduous fern, while Wood Fern is technically evergreen. In the forest both die back in the winter, though battered and brown Wood Fern fronds can still be found in very sheltered areas. Both started sending up fiddleheads over the last week.
March 30, 2012. - Over the last week Lady Fern fronds have sprung to calf high in the usual places. The Wood Ferns are still looking pretty bedraggled. Most show just the first coils of emergent fiddleheads.
March 30, 2011. Lady Fern fiddleheads.
Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant)
March 29, 2011 - Deer Fern is another evergreen fern that looks pretty dead by this time of year. They are still dormant.
March 30, 2012 - Last year's Deer Fern fronds are a bit crumpled but still green. A close look reveals the first coils of this year's growth.
March 30, 2012. Incipient Deer Fern fronds.
Licorice Fern (Polypoduim vulgare)
March 29, 2011 - Most Licorice Fern have just finished spore production and will drop their fronds as the weather turns warm and dry.
March 30, 2012 - This year's Licorice Fern appear to be in the same place as they were last year. I'm no longer seeing spores when I flick the fronds and the fronds are still bright and green.
So, an image from last year:
March 29, 2011. Licorice Fern.
Two years worth of information isn't much to go on but it's what I've got. From 2011 to 2012:
Sword Fern, Bracken Fern, Lady Fern and Deer Fern seem to be developing a bit earlier this year. Wood Fern may be a bit later than last year. There appears to be no difference in Licorice Fern development.
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Your turn. Go back to your records and/or check out what others have recorded in the past in your neighborhood. What happened then? What's happening now?
I'll be around this morning but have other obligations later on. Carry on!
Look for the 4th 2012 Dailykos Backyard Science Yardbird Race tally tomorrow!
12:16 PM PT: 12:15PM PDT: I've got to head out until after dinner. Back then. Have fun.