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The Daily Bucket. A late winter's day; Happy Spring! [1]
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Date: 2025-03-20
The weather was chilly but the morning was looking fair. Out for a ride around American Valley following a few days of late winter storms.
E-bike and outside temperature (39) as I’m setting out on the morning ride.
Well, it’s not winter anymore since this Daily Bucket is publishing on the first day of spring 2025. But I managed these last-day photos (March 18) for this 2024-25 winter season. I’m just going to intersperse general snowy mountain and valley shots with the birds I saw. Other birds seen this morning but not photographed include Steller’s Jay, American Robin, American Crow, Lesser Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Canada Goose and bluebird, but whether it was Western Bluebird or Mountain Bluebird I can’t be certain. They were definitely one or the other, but I only saw three or four, all together and at the same time and couldn’t get another sighting even though I went looking. Well, something for the days ahead then.
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. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow. American Valley looking east across to Mt. Hough range and Grizzly Ridge
Plumas National Forest
There is something extra beautiful about freshly snow-covered mountains of pine and fir trees
Our ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbirds have unquestionably returned for the season.
He’s right to look very pleased with himself.
Sing it on out!
I did look for color blossoms on my ride. It’s still a tad early for the daffodils and forsythia it would seem, although my records show I had them by this time last year. Hmmm….
Well, none in these photos anyway
Looking west
Looking north
Looking northeast by north
Just above the houses in town, looking toward southwest
Black Phoebe
Northern Flicker, female
Different individual, same tree
Downy Woodpecker
On out about a mile further from where I snapped all the preceding photos, to Spanish Creek and a look at the pronounced runoff and high flow. I’m usually able to walk where the deep water is at left of bushes to right. I would say the river level is a couple of feet higher than back when this latest storm system began, just about a week ago.
Common Goldeneye female down in Spanish Creek, just a few hundred yards upstream of location of photo above.
A second shot, zoomed in nicely, and the bird posed nicely for a good clear snap. Thank you, Ms. Duckie.
Capping off the day, a look-in at Dellinger’s Pond, about an hour after I set out on the ride. A few ducks out there.
Left to right: American Coot, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead duck female, Common Goldeneye
Saw these two Mallard come winging in, started tracking them in flight as they seemed they were going to land, got the best shot I could.
That’s it from here. What’s up in your world nature-wise and on your spring agenda? Please let us know in the comments and include your location and any photos you’d like to share. The more the better!
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