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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December 2018
Pacific Northwest
We’ve had a week of frosty days here. Not really a cold snap per se since it hasn’t gone below freezing except in some low spots, but between days in the 30s and low weak winter sun we have frost on the ground and marshes are freezing over.
On Tuesday Dec 4, I stopped by Otto’s Marsh to see who was there. About half the 38 Trumpeter swans and uncountable ducks were way over on the far side. That spot is popular in cold weather, doesn’t seem to freeze over as quick. That’s where runoff enters the marsh. The marsh is deepest over there. Unfortunately for me it’s a long ways from the road so I don’t get good looks. The marsh is about 30 acres.
The other end, where water drains under the road to another marsh on its way to the sea, often has an open deeper spot too. Birds were crowded there on Tuesday.
A third deepish spot is in the middle. Swans and ducks packed there amongst the hummocks of grass. Some were grooming, others foraging under the water.
Wednesday I walked on the beach. It’s frosty there too wherever the low angled sun doesn’t peek over the bushes and edge of the road.
You may notice that these shadows are angled our direction, with the frosty spots extending beyond the shadows. That’s because in the “heat of the day” a few hours before, the sun was thawing the frost from the south (left) and is now heading toward the southwest where it will set in another hour (about 4 pm).
On Thursday I checked back at Otto’s. There were still about 38 swans but they were crowded onto even smaller patches of open water. Some were walking around on the ice.
The ducks are mostly mallards and wigeons, with some pintails, green winged teals, hoodies and buffies. I believe I saw two Whitefronted geese way over on the other side: greyish with orange beak.
Sounds here are mostly quack quack quack with the occasional squeaky wigeon call and the deeper richer tootling of the swans.
At one point I saw the ducks fly up in a tizzy before settling back down. I looked up and saw an eagle flying over. The other eagle of the local pair remained in its usual tree. I’d imagine catching a duck might not be hard right now. The swans did not react at all.
Nearby there were seven swans NOT a-swimming, instead foraging on a field. Not enough room at Otto’s today. The marsh beyond them that Otto’s empties into is still dry — we didn’t get much rain in November.
One seasonal Frosty figure is up nearby. The local cemetery funds their operation entirely off sales of wreaths. The wreath ladies have been busy for a month or so. To remind folks it’s time to buy their wreaths, a Frosty figure made out of hay bales and decoration is parked in his usual spot down the hill from the church.
The weather forecast says this frosty stretch will break this weekend, temps going back up into the 40s. The swans and ducks and geese will appreciate having a thawed marsh, I have no doubt. There’s food down there under the ice!
But today is still cold and clear in the Pacific Northwest. Chilly with a light wind. Frosty everywhere.
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What’s up in nature in your area today?
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