The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or snakies in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like photos. :)
Some of the birdies, bugs and beasts that I saw during my visit to Portland OR. Many of them are entirely new to me so I have no idea what they are. If anybody can ID any of them, that’d be great:
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There were lots of these lovely Furrow Orbweavers hanging around at the Minneapolis airport
Over the Rockies. Idaho, I think.
Rock Squirrel
Google puts this as a Box-Elder Bug
A Folding-Door Spider, (from the red color and the relatively large size it is most likely a Pacific Folding-Door Spider). They are not tarantulas but are closely related.
Dark-Eyed Junco
Mourning Dove, I think (I don’t know what dove species are in Portland)
Some Oregon plants. I know this one is a Teasel. I don’t know any of the rest ...
And now it is your turn: what’s up in your neck of the woods?
We are always looking for new people to produce Daily Buckets, where we practice "backyard science" by reporting and recording what we have seen in the natural world around us (and no matter where you are--even in the middle of the city--there is nature around you). You don't need any science degrees or training or in-depth experience to be a backyard scientist, and you don't need any expensive camera equipment or photo-editing software to do Daily Buckets. All you need is a pair of eyes and ears, a phone with a camera, and a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm.
