Fifty-three weeks ago, I was slogging through a foot of snow to bust a hole in the 6-inch-thick ice capping my back yard pond. I wanted to make sure the birdies could get a drink.
Things were a lot different this year in my NW Oregon backyard. Way different. Funny different, or serious different? The Daily Bucket explores that question below the orange contrails.
The Backyard Science group regularly publishes The Daily Bucket, which features observations of the world around us. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds, flowers and anything natural or unusual are worthy additions to the Bucket and its comments. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to as we try to understand the patterns that are unwinding around us.
This picture is from February 9, 2014:
A regular winter wonderland, eh?
Here's what that same area looked like yesterday:
It's odd. But weather is odd. The news said it last got this hot on this date in February, 1996, so no big deal. We've had 10 frosty mornings this winter season at the golf course, instead of the usual 20 or more.
Is this global warming and not just some weather swings to keep us alert? I'd like to say how neat, but will we also have far less snowpack, a summer drought, dying crops, water rationing? Not so cool.
I'm already spinning ass-halfed theories above my pay grade, so time for me to quiet down, and for you all share what's happening in your corner of our shared orb.
Now It's Your Turn What's interesting to you? Please post your own observations and your general location in the comments.
Thank you for reading. I'll work this morning so I'll respond to comments before lunchtime.
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday at 1pm and Wednesday at 3:30 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.