Corking

There's a huge cork oak next to the river. I've been wondering who planted it and when. The weather was gorgeous and almost warm.

Two for Joy

Glorious sunshine this morning. Large white clouds drifting by. Didn't need a heavy coat.

Struggling

A lone flower working its way through the winter garden detritus. It's been a long week. And, it's raining...again.

Clustered

Almost walked by these mushroom. They're quite small and blended into the surrounding decomposed granite. More clouds today and the sunrise was fantastic.

Berries of Blue

After a wee bit of patchy fog this morning, the sun came out. Then sun all day! It was even still partially light as I wended my way home.

Ghostly Embrace

Day 10 of rain but the clouds have cleared for now. I'm crossing my fingers and toes for actual sunshine tomorrow. And the time to soak it in.

Freshness

Day nine of rain and the river is up. That's a good thing, of course. I had to dig out some citrus for a much-needed pop of color.

New Friend

This Paphiopedilum looked so lonely it had to come home with me. Rain again. No sun--not even during the breaks.

Bolbitius vitellinus

When these mushrooms are breaking the surface they're a vivid golden yellow--about the size and reminiscent of crocus buds. Being able to take a walk without needing an umbrella was luxurious. Clouds are building up again.

Leafy Greens (and Yellows)

Longer breaks between rain showers. And it's colder. Maybe there will be sun tomorrow.

Puddle Jumper

The wind is gone. Steady rain all day. As I waited to cross the street, I watched raindrops make ripples in a large puddle.

Break in the Clouds

Such a soggy, windy day. The moon was alternately shrouded by and clear of clouds. It's been a while since I've seen la luna.

Deceptive

Looks like a sunny California day. And it was for about 1/2 hour between extreme downpours and thunderstorms. Nasty winds for most of the day too.

Sprouting Nest

Now that the storm has blown most of the remaining leaves away, I can see last season's mourning dove nest. It's disintegrating and sprouting all at the same time. We were pounded with lots of rain today but are currently experiencing a break.

Great Blue Snail

I happened upon this tiny snail as I was outside during a break in the storm. It looks shiny and new with a shell less than 1/4-inch in size. I let it go on its way.

Red Ones

It sounds like this might have been the last dry day for at least a week. We took full advantage of the weather and went for a lovely walk. It was colder out than is has been for some time.

Medium

This morning's sunrise was beautiful. Lots of red so I guess the sailors should "take warning". Storms are lining up out over the ocean.

Less Traveled By

Too warm for a coat by afternoon. The sun was out. So was I.

Almost Dark

It rained incredibly hard last night. By this afternoon the sun had made a welcome appearance. There was even a little light left in the sky as I made my way home.

Flame

A slow and gentle rain began last night and carried into most of the day. The air was cleansed. The flowers were refreshed.

Fade to Red

The old strawberry leaves are showing some brilliant colors. I'm hoping for lots of berries this year. The mice dined high on the hog last season, unfortunately.

Dew-Soaked Buds

Alas, it is still damp and foggy. I went for long walk anyway. I startled a deer and some quail.

Mystery Mushroom

The lavender-tinted cap of this mushroom is a good four inches across. It might be Lactarius uvidus but I really have no idea. Fog is back again.

Wasp's Nest

Found this wasp's nest on the ground by the river. Must have blown in from somewhere. A rain shower briefly drove the fog away this afternoon.

Gray

Not even a glimpse of the sun. The fog was unrelenting. It wasn't the soupy fog that I remember from my childhood that made for excellent games of hide-and-seek.

Tradition

One of my Christmas amaryllis is growing. The other one is being slow. Can't wait until they bloom.

Give Peas a Chance

The sun never really came out today. Fog and mist. Cold and cranky.

LBMs

A poor picture taken too long after dark. So, they are Little Brown Mushrooms and I can tell no more. The night is clear and much colder than it has been for a week or so.

Climacodon?

This mushroom identification routine is hard. Good thing I'm not going to eat any of them--just take their pictures. I went back today and inspected the poor oak tree that's covered with what I think might be Climacodon.

Stereum

Spotted several mushrooms (and turkeys) on our morning walk. This and what I think was Climacodon were the most striking. The sun came out after we got home.

New Start

A lazy morning. Rain in the afternoon. 2010 is off to a promising start.