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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February 24, 2019
Pacific Northwest
Homeward bound on Sunday afternoon we crossed the Skagit Flats as usual once out of the urban/exurban I-5 corridor of western Washington. From there we moseyed our way to the ferry dock via various birding stops and from thence, back across the water to our home. There were nice birds to see as always at this time of year, but what struck me as most impressive this time was the sky.
Through the afternoon, the sky in every direction evolved as the rainy weather system broke up before a blast of northerly wind. By the next day it was clear and cloudless, but the transition created magnificent swirls and layerings, streakiness and poofies, which culminated in a beauteous sunset over the water.
Behold, the progression of skies…
First, a prosaic scene at the gas station in Conway. This was at about 2:30pm, looking NW:
Still life with Harley
Stops at birding spots over the next hour and a half:
Wiley slough, looking south. Estuary restored when dikes moved inland, big project completed in 2009.
Hayton reserve, looking Northeast
Jensen Access, looking East. Juv retailed hawk perched on hunting blind.
Jensen Access, looking South.
Blueberry field, looking Northwest
Swans, ducks and mud. Looking East
Once we arrived in Anacortes at about 4pm, we stopped to order a pizza to-go at our favorite local pizzeria. While waiting for it to be cooked we went up to Cap Sante until about half past.
Cap Sante, looking Northwest
From Cap Sante, looking West
Supplied with fresh pizza we hustled off to the ferry dock. The boat departed at 5:20pm. I was resting with eyes closed when 20 minutes later as we’re chugging through Thatcher Pass, Mr O mentioned it looked like there might be some color out front. I looked out and indeed there was.
Layered streaky poofy skies make the BEST sunsets. I should have expected it after all the skies we’d seen earlier.
On board MV Samish, in Thatcher Pass, looking West
We turned north threading our way between islands before resuming a westerly course. The wind by then was blasting right through the car deck and the ferry’s 17 knots turned that into an icy gale. I tucked myself into the lee at the side of the boat and watched the colors of the sunsety clouds shift from orange to lavender, until we approached our dock 20 minutes later. The curvy streaks swinging below the main cloud deck show how hard the north wind was blowing.
My pictures are all looking West, regardless of the direction of the boat.
Sometimes we get great sunsets here. This was a nice one.
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Sunny and cold again today. Clear sky, no clouds. Temperature 30° this morning. Breezy again out of the NE. This continues to be an unusually cold February.
What’s the nature news in your neighborhood?
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