The Backyard Science group regularly publishes The Daily Bucket, which features observations of the world around us. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds, flowers and anything natural or unusual are worthy additions to the Bucket and its comments. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to as we try to understand the patterns that are unwinding around us.
Another lovely day in the great Northeast! The temperature is currently hovering at a balmy negative 1 degree. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing at negative 11 degrees and the dog is hiding under her blanket. Yes, I'm thrilled to be a resident in the national icebox! Get this winter over with already!!!
![photo IMG_3769_zps1ccd8873.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Snow/IMG_3769_zps1ccd8873.jpg)
That hill on the right in front of the shrub is the waterfall in my pond! Gah!
As a reminder to myself, and those in our community who are also having trouble believing it, this too shall pass. Soon, the snow will all melt away and we'll start to see signs of new life.
![photo IMG_0197_zps7510a677.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/IMG_0197_zps7510a677.jpg)
The birds will start their annual mating rituals . . .
![photo IMG_2402_zpsa484aa59.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Birds/Bluebirds/IMG_2402_zpsa484aa59.jpg)
Hey, Baby!
With the usual results.
![photo IMG_1634_zps2caf85f7.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Birds/Bluebirds/IMG_1634_zps2caf85f7.jpg)
![photo DSC_0005_zps7102f07b.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Birds/DSC_0005_zps7102f07b.jpg)
The flowers will start to pop . . .
![photo IMG_0220_zps450cbec7.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/IMG_0220_zps450cbec7.jpg)
![photo IMG_0449_zps93c5d5fd.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/IMG_0449_zps93c5d5fd.jpg)
And the goldfinches start to ripen . . .
![photo IMG_0217_zps460c49a9.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Birds/IMG_0217_zps460c49a9.jpg)
![photo IMG_0301_zpscb4ddf2b.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Birds/IMG_0301_zpscb4ddf2b.jpg)
And before you know it, the bees will be buzzing!
![photo IMG_0350-001_zps18390cd9.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_0350-001_zps18390cd9.jpg)
We'll see butterflies galore . . .
![Baltimore Checkerspot photo IMG_2797_zpsf128e2ea.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_2797_zpsf128e2ea.jpg)
![photo IMG_0070_zps3a17c576.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_0070_zps3a17c576.jpg)
![photo IMG_2171_zps7d7130b4.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_2171_zps7d7130b4.jpg)
And other winged wonders.
![photo IMG_3017-001_zps0bf4be67.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_3017-001_zps0bf4be67.jpg)
![photo IMG_0506crop_zps2e86b207.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/IMG_0506crop_zps2e86b207.jpg)
The furry critters will start to appear . . .
![photo IMG_1936_zpsf88c7461.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Critters/IMG_1936_zpsf88c7461.jpg)
![photo IMG_0708_zpsda14c669.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Critters/IMG_0708_zpsda14c669.jpg)
![photo IMG_9542_zps27c1a0bd.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Critters/IMG_9542_zps27c1a0bd.jpg)
Even the ones we'd maybe rather not see.
![photo IMG_1939-001_zpsf5a90a4a.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Critters/IMG_1939-001_zpsf5a90a4a.jpg)
But the flowers will be blooming and the gardens full of color . . .
![photo IMG_1592_zps4cb38998.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/General%20Garden%20and%20Flowers/IMG_1592_zps4cb38998.jpg)
![photo IMG_1406_zps5befdc74.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Garden%20Insects/General%20Garden%20and%20Flowers/IMG_1406_zps5befdc74.jpg)
![photo IMG_0569_zpsd648ad75.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/moonsrainbow1/Iris%202014/IMG_0569_zpsd648ad75.jpg)
And we can forget winter for another season!
What are you looking forward to this summer?
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" is posted every Saturday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time and Wednesday at 3:30 on the Daily Kos front page. It's a great way to catch up on diaries you might have missed. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.