Whiteness

We had a sunny afternoon. It's a crystalline night. Orion is easy to find.

One year ago: Corking

Two years ago: Wishes

Earthstars

Earthstars are supposed to be common fungi and act something like barometers--popping up in low pressure periods before rain (it was rainy this morning & again now). Before today I'd never seen one before. Those that had already lost their spore cases looked like exploded acorns but I think they were probably Astraeus hygrometricus or a close relative.

One year ago: Two for Joy

Two years ago: Pac-Man

The Egret Had Landed

Against the norm, I'm happy to be hearing rain patter on the roof right now. The fog may flee. Sounds good.

One year ago: Struggling

Two years ago: Veins

The Only Show in Town

Fog, fog, fog. More fog. And then there was some fog.

One year ago: Clustered

Two years ago: Harbinger

Seedy

I think there might be an end to the week coming. Sure hope so. Just holding on.

One year ago: Berries of Blue

Two years ago: Insalata Mista

Particolor

We've settled into the foggy morning, sunny afternoon routine. It was hot inside. Interesting colors outside.

One year ago: Ghostly Embrace

Two years ago: Fallen

Homeward Bound

Here's proof that the days are getting longer. Not yet as long as I'd like but we're on the way. We were almost home when I stuck the camera out the window (I wasn't driving).

One year ago: Freshness

Two years ago: Hawkeye

Sputniks, Sweetheart

If my home decor and past photographs are anything to go by, I think I have a thing for this type of starburst shape. Ran into a sudden wall of fog about half-way to work this morning and remained in same for hours. It burned off by mid morning, thank goodness.

One year ago: New Friend

Two years ago: More Fire in the Sky

Cracked

It's been somewhat cooler today but the sun did manage to break through the fog. As I was taking a picture of the lichen, a covey of quail burst from the underbrush. They're fun to see.

One year ago: Bolbitius Vitellinus

Two years ago: Raindrops

Spring?

We're currently sitting at 68 degrees. The sun is still shining. A great day to be out and about.

One year ago: Leafy Greens (and Yellows)

Two years ago: Waspish

Mushroom Forest

One belted kingfisher greeted me soon after I started my walk. The patch of burned trees along the river has become a colony of shelf mushrooms. It was sunny and warm for this time of year.

One year ago: Puddle Jumper

Two years ago: Wisps

Foliage Folly

Camera accidentally left at home and the missed shots were numerous. The full moon over the river slightly obscured by fog was amazing this morning. A sunny day otherwise.

One year ago: Break in the Clouds

Two years ago: A New Leaf

Petals Gone

It was winter in the morning, spring by the end of the day. A strong wind from the north scrubbed the fog away by late afternoon. When I found myself outside unexpectedly early, I was able to take advantage of the sun.

One year ago: Deceptive

Two years ago: Gialli Holiday

It Must Be Tomorrow

The sun came out for most of the day. The golf course geese were just as loud as yesterday. I scared some quail, as usual.

One year ago: Sprouting Nest

Two years ago: Confused

Spiderweb Chronicles

The fog is still with us but it's much drippier today. It revealed the small spider webs clustered every foot or so in the weeds by the river. Maybe there will be some sun tomorrow.

One year ago: Great Blue Snail

Two years ago: Unsettled

Silver Lace

Another day of fog that doesn't want to lift. More birds but fewer cyclists were out and about. It's a good day to make stew and sit by the fire.

One year ago: Red Ones

Two years ago: Little Apple

Eucalypt

The fog never really lifted. Western blue birds, phoebes, and friends flew away from us. The river has gone way down.

One year ago: Medium

Two years ago: Lemon Rising

North

Several species of moss seem happy together on the north side of the wall. It was sunny again today. I didn't mind at all.

One year ago: Less Traveled By

Two years ago: Spectacular

Stark

Showers through most of the day. Late afternoon brought a touch of sun. Warmer day that the last week or so.

One year ago: Almost Dark

Two years ago: Eye of the Day

The Underside

Sunglasses were briefly in use on this glorious day. The moon is hanging half-full in the sky. And I'm all wound up.

One year ago: Flame

Two years ago: La Luna

One and One

It has been a week of sad news. The overcast weather suits the mood. Red mushrooms offer pops of color.

One year ago: Fade to Red

Two years ago: Eventide

Strata

Ice this morning but no fog. This evening's sunset was the most dramatic one of 2011 so far. And Jupiter's dance with the moon was not to be missed.

One year ago: Dew-Soaked Buds

Two years ago: All Bark (No Bite)

You Can't See Me

Ah, the sun came out today. The squirrels were all rambunctious, except for this one who was hanging upside down soaking up some rays. He seemed not to know what to do other than stay very still when we walked by.

One year ago: Mystery Mushroom

Two years ago: Lesson Learned

Peace

Still no sun today. For about a week the flowering quince have been doing their thing and some of the roses are still blooming even if they look a bit worse for the wear. So, we still have fresh color to gaze upon while we contemplate a world gone mad.

One year ago: Wasp's Nest

Two years ago: A Murder

Lamellae

At this point, it doesn't look like the fog is going to lift today. We got out for a chilly walk. I stalked mushrooms with the camera.

One year ago: Gray

Two years ago: Rose Red

Wood Ducks

Wood duck couples circled about on the opposite side of the pond from the four creepy cormorants. The ducks' whistling calls were the only sound in the fog. Sun never appeared.

One year ago: Tradition

Two years ago: Ghost of Flowers Past

Yellow Centered

Less fog, more ice in the a.m. By afternoon the sun was high. At least one bee braved the cold.

One year ago: Give Peas a Chance

Two years ago: The Watcher in the Wood

Silvered Buds

Stolen moments of outdoor time are all I get some days. But, the sun was high and the air was cold. Just a short battle with fog this morning.

One year ago: LBMs

Two years ago: Coyote Creepy

Janu-merry

I laughed to see the multitudes power-walking away their lunch hours to start the new year. I was out for my usual constitutional with photo op bonus. It was so wonderful to see the sun and be out in my favorite type of clear but cold day.

One year ago: Climacodon?

Two years ago: Winter on the River

Herbal

The stupid neighborhood squirrels attacked my new herb planting as soon as my back was turned. Good thing that it continued to rain and the soil resettled. We'll see what the varmints do tomorrow.

One year ago: Stereum

Two years ago: Looking Up After Looking Down

Breaking Through the Clouds

Here's to starting off a fresh year with hopes that it will prove better than the last. The day was rainy, gloomy, and cold. I hope that's only reflective of the weather.

One year ago: New Start

Two years ago: A New Year