The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note of any observations you have made of the world around you. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. 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 in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
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Pinot Noir on the vine
Follow below the tangled grape vines to hear about the frogs and snakes.
During a short trip to visit my daughter in Forest Grove OR last week, I took advantage of the fact that this is north end of the Willamette Valley wine country. This is really beautiful country, about 20 miles northwest of Portland, on the edge of the Willamette valley, lying up against the Coastal Range that separates it from the Oregon coast. This is also a place of frogs as fellow Bucketeer, Redwood Man or (6) has demonstrated on several occasions. In fact this bucket was inspired by his herculean efforts at “mitigating the frog pond.”
Since the atmosphere was rather hazy, I was unable to get good landscape photos. But even through the haze, from one of the wineries we were able to see in a single vista, Mt. St. Helens or what’s left of it, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams of the Cascade Range. It was also this winery at which we observed some critters. But, first, a view from one of my favorite wineries in this area, Elk Cove Winery.
Lavender and Autumn Crocus frame the parking lot with the vineyards just a short distance away.
La Boheme Vineyard, one of Elk Cove's earliest
More of the vineyard with wooded hills
Elk Cove Pinot Blanc
Next we went to a country farm store to purchase some fresh potatoes and broccoli for dinner, along with some locally made blackberry jam for breakfast. The store was situated on a large pond full of unidentified but seemingly happy ducks.
We approached this store from “A blooming Hill Road” and of course they sold, “A Blooming Hill” wines. Since the winery was close by, we decided to stop and taste their wares on the way home and perhaps purchase a few take-aways. Below you might notice that this 2009 Pinot Noir has been opened. It was not bad, particularly for the price. Mostly, I love their label with a blooming flower on the hills.
So, now for the serious part. A Blooming Hill Vineyards had a relaxing outdoor tasting area with gardens and a gurgling fish & frog pond. I noted that it was in serious need of mitigation and immediately thought of the Redwood Man who lives probably not more than 15 miles away. It was here that we ran into the critters.
The pond, fed by a spouting frog fountain had some gold fish and several frogs floating around, luxuriating in the tepid water. It was all a bucolic setting in which we sipping our pinots and chards. Shortly an excited critter-loving granddaughter announced, “there’s a snake.” And sure enough, there was a snake in the pond.
Unidentified snake in the frog pond
Pond, frog spout, frog, and along comes a snake? From what I know about garter snakes, which is very little, this one does not seem to fit the pattern. It does not have a continuous strip along its side and it seemed a bit large for a garter snake. My cursory review of Oregon snakes did not show anything with this pattern of regular patches along the side.
This is where I need help from Lenny’s reptile expertise or 6’s local knowledge with Oregon’s slinky critters.
I need to know if this simple little unidentified snake would prey on the poor froggies? Inquiring and sympathetic minds need to know.
The proprietress of the vineyard, and later her husband tried to get my 7 year old granddaughter to take the snake away. Sophie’s plea was: “But momma, she said I could have it.”
All we needed to have real party was a newt, a cauldron, a few other items, and three crones to stir.
This part of Oregon is a natural wonder. It is beautiful in its own right and produces some magnificent wines to complement the beauty.
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Now It's Your Turn. What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.