The Daily Bucket is a place where we post and exchange our observations about what is happening in the natural world in our neighborhood. Each note about the bugs, buds, and birds around us is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns of nature that are quietly unwinding around us.
Jim and I are traveling today so needed a low-maintenance bucket. You all know how to have a good time without us!
Today's entry features favorite photos of the year. Please add your own in comments, and if you can, tell us about the picture: where and when it was taken, any context that would help, and why it is a favorite for you. If it was from a diary you wrote, please include a link, also.
I'll start:
This photo is from my May Daily Bucket on Weavings. There is an unpaved path we've enjoyed a few times, not far from our house. There was a lot of magic on that path the day we took the photos there. I loved the twists of these trunks. The woods were full of woven branches and trunks, leading to the title of the Bucket.
From my Bucket diary on Queen Anne's Lace, this picture seems so familiar to most of us. I like it for the detail, the ability to see hundreds of tiny blossoms within the larger structure. We all are such a small part of something bigger, and the photo reminds me of that.
From my diary on pelicans, this photo was taken by Son's future mother-in-law a few days before we visited the same area. (They live a few blocks from us -- convenient!)
From Jim:
By July 1, 2005, these day lilies had not been eaten by passing deer before they bloomed. They've been devoured every year since. I added a little photoshop touch to the leaves and stems.
There is an aging tree at a place along one of our walk routes that had these oyster fungi growing very large and healthy November 18, 2011. We were told later by Melanie's brother that these are good to eat. It was too late by the time we returned to them. This year, they were pathetic looking. We didn't try to cook them.
With one of the few snows last winter, this young deer decided this was the best spot for a nap below the feeder. It was January 21, 2012. There were several aggravated birds and squirrels at times tapping their feet in the surrounding bushes.
On October 8, 2012, we headed to a
local state park for an outing. Our anniversary was that week. As we neared the end of our hike, we saw this heart shaped burl next to the trail.
It seemed a good sign.
Do you have favorite photos to share? And what's going on in your backyard today?