The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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December 10, 2018
Salish Sea, Pacific Northwest
This is the stormiest time of year up here in the islands. Frontal systems roll in off the ocean one after the next from the southwest. Fairly warm, temps in the 40s-50s. Storms like these have a long fetch — miles of water with nothing blocking the wind as it barrels down on us, swirling around the center of the Salish Sea. We’ve had a couple of weeks of very windy weather now with no sign of it letting up soon.
This isn’t unprecedented. But every winter it’s a bit nerve wracking watching the trees swaying, getting uprooted or broken off, gusts knocking against the house all night. A visiting relative once noted we seem to have more metal roofs than do houses down on the mainland; I think that’s because metal doesn’t get blown off like shingles will in strong gusty winds.
We like to get out onto the water every few weeks, but we don’t like to fight against big swells and chop — I get banged up. Our rule of thumb is wind in single digits, knots. And it’s more fun if it’s not pouring rain. Earlier this week, one day around noon the wind started dropping and there was some light showing through the overcast. A lull in the storms.
We jumped on it. By the time we were both on the boat and underway it was closer to 2pm, which is cutting it close at this time of year when it’s dark at 4pm. Nevertheless, carpe diem...
More pics from our excursion…
Whale Rocks is our turnaround. We passed the White Seal colony haulout on a small island on our way back. Seals always watch us closely as we go by.
By the time we secured the boat and went back to the house it was getting dark. The wind was also picking up. Within an hour it was back up into double digits, and roaring overnight. Hasn’t been that calm since.
Drop your plans and seize the moment, if you can, when conditions swing around your way. Maybe it’s not perfect but who knows when a time this good will come again.
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Windy again today in the PNW islands, but at least it’s not as blustery as yesterday afternoon, gusting over 40knots, spitting rain. Wind shifted around to the west overnight, now back SE. Sunbreaks predicted today. Fairly warm out, mid 40s.
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What’s up in nature in your area today?
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