The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what’s going on around you. What’s the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or snakies in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like photos. 🙂
I visit this park pretty regularly year-round. Each winter, there is a flock of White Pelicans and larger flocks of Scaups and Ringnecks who drop in and stay until spring, when they depart back up north.
They haven’t arrived yet. But there are always some year-round residents here to look at as well, even though the park is right in the middle of the city and is surrounded by streets and houses.
Some photos from an afternoon walk.
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The lake is about a mile around
A very old Banyan Tree
Laughing Gull. There is always a gaggle of these hanging around hoping to beg something from the tourists.
The White Ibis do their share of begging, too
Skipper butterflies
Mosquito fish
A creaky old Red-Eared Slider with wrinkled shell and faded colors. Probably 25-ish years old, which is geriatric for a turtle.
Strangler Fig on a palm tree
And now it is your turn: what’s up in your neck of the woods?
We are always looking for new people to produce Daily Buckets, where we practice “backyard science” by reporting and recording what we have seen in the natural world around us (and no matter where you are–even in the middle of the city–there is nature around you). You don’t need any science degrees or training or in-depth experience to be a backyard scientist, and you don’t need any expensive camera equipment or photo-editing software to do Daily Buckets. All you need is a pair of eyes and ears, a phone with a camera, and a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm.