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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April 6, 2020
Douglas County, Missouri
No, it isn’t just the birds, although they seem to be pretty happy right now. It isn’t just the fact that all the rain we had recently has resulted in an explosion of growth: from the tiniest wildflowers to the tallest trees; from the tiniest insects, fish and amphibians to some of the largest bird species we have around here (Turkeys & Vultures — no eagles recently).
By mid-March it was bluets, bittercress, toothwort, deadnettle, shepherd’s purse and other assorted tiny wildflowers:
(Well, maybe the daffodils came first, but since they start so early and last so long and grow literally everywhere, I refuse to show them here!)
Meanwhile, outside my window the little birds are making a mess by scattering the seeds from the window feeder all over the porch. The winter/early spring regulars include goldfinches in their Olive Drab uniforms, titmice, chickadees, sparrows and dark-eyed juncos. But finally with the days getting warmer I am also able to get photos of a wood thrush, a pileated woodpecker, a phoebe and a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
And suddenly there are ferns unfurling, trees in full bloom and more and more wildflowers assailing my senses — and bees are happily doing their civic duty:
And bees are busy pollinating:
This tiny cricket frog is less than an inch in length and so well camouflaged that you are only likely to see it when it suddenly leaps away. And, boy, can it leap! When startled, it can leap more than three feet, which is the equivalent of a six-foot man being able to leap 200 feet.
But even when you don’t see them, you can hear them, and now that the temperatures are rising, they are singing their hearts out:
Are you listening?
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you seen and heard in your area or travels? I am looking forward to seeing your observations as well as their general location in the comments below.
Thank you!