Douglas County, Missouri
November 22, 2020
It has been about a week since my last Bucket was published, and I hardly have enough new photos to scrape together the backdrop for a new Bucket. I almost decided to do an Open Forum, but thought I should at least attempt to do this right!
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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So I thought that maybe I could weave the story of my different excursions into nature last week into one coherent story. We shall see!
We have actually been having some wonderful weather lately. Most of last week was sunny, with temperatures getting into the 60’s and 70’s at the heat of the day. The winter birds have been arriving on schedule, and they have enthusiastically endorsed our new feeder pole. The feeders are getting emptied quite regularly now:
But there are only so many times you can take that same photo with those same birds in slightly different positions before you feel the need for a different point of view. So off we go on the daily walk...but now that the bugs aren’t biting we decide to take a different path.
One of my paths takes me to the east end of our property, past the large fungus growing on a stump
and into our neighbor’s field. The cows are not here right now because it is hunting season. I am wearing my bright orange cap to let hunters know I am not a deer! Happily, I do not see or hear any hunters, but I will be cautious!
I see a few birds hopping through the trees and flying in and out. The Junco at the top of the page and this female cardinal were willing to let me take their photos — but not too close, please!
Months ago my neighbor had a logging crew working the woods between this field and another of his fields. Both these fields and the land between them run alongside our property. I walk partway down the slope, but it is steep and I do not have my walking stick with me, so I head back up.
I make a mental note to come back and explore the logged area soon.
On my way back up the hill I see some Bushy Beard Lichen (Usnea strigosa) on the ground:
I hear drumming up above me. I look up, and see a Pileated Woodpecker:
After he flies away I look down and see some Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata) mushrooms:
And a little further on I see these scarlet waxy cap mushrooms:
According to the MDC website: “The scarlet waxy cap is a cute mushroom, and it's well-named. It does look like a little red cap, and the gills really are waxy. (Rub them between your fingers, and you'll have proof.)”
On the way to my next path I pass my home again and see a pair of tufted titmice on the feeder:
And another in the trees:
And the Nuthatch is back, along with Pine Siskins:
and then I saw this squirrel on my porch:
I did eventually make it to the other path, “butt that’s a tail” for another day!
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels recently? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.