Wonders Never Cease!

I apologize that I'm late AGAIN getting my blog posted, but my husband ended up in the hospital for three and a half days this week! Luckily he's okay and back home now! However, I don't have time to write a lot on my blog, so it's mainly photos this week! I happened upon lots of amazing nature in the past two weeks, including the beautiful, sculptural, driftwood heart (above) that I found on the river's edge!  Such beauty! 

American Dippers nest building - 3/9/26 - Cinclus mexicanus

 

Back in the beginning of March, two American Dippers started building their annual nest on a local bridge pillar. For several weeks I observed them in an unusual pattern of nest building! One day there would be bits of moss on the ledge, and then the next day there wouldn't be any moss! This happened again and again over the period of a month. I was a bit worried that something was wrong.

American Dipper Nest - 4/15/26 - Cinclus mexicanus

Then on April 12th, when I checked on the nest, they had built the whole nest perfectly! WOW!!! Since then I have observed them at the entrance to the nest, coming and going. What a relief! Hopefully telltale drips of white bird poop will start showing up, indicating the presence of nestlings. I'll keep checking and let you know how things progress! So happy that they persevered and finally made their usual nest!

Scorpion - Paruroctonus spp.

 On one of our walks in Indian Valley Campground, my friend Mary spotted a scorpion underneath some bark! So I lifted up a piece of bark and immediately found another one! The one I saw was quite small, about 1.5" in length. I'll write all about them in my next blog.

Mink - Mustela vison

My friend Keith came by to tell he thought he had just seen a River Otter on the side of the road! So of course I went with him and walked down to where he had seen it, and it was still there! 

Mink - Mustela vison

But it wasn't a River Otter, it was a Mink!!! It ambled off when it saw us!  I only managed to get two quick photos as it walked away from us into the thicket.  How exciting!!! More info in two weeks...

Annaphila Moth on an Oregon Grape - Annaphila sp., Berberis aquifolium

Wildflowers and shrubs are in bloom everywhere! I luckily caught this photo of an Annaphila Moth on an Oregon Grape that was in bloom!  More in two weeks...

Hartweg's Ginger - Asarum hartwegii

In the shaded areas of my neighborhood, Hartweg's Ginger has been putting on a show! They are one of the "hairiest" wildflowers I've ever seen!  They are not carnivorous. They "hairs" aren't sticky. Why are they so hairy? Some articles say the hairs keep the plant warm, or act as camouflage! More in two weeks...

Hartweg's Ginger - Asarum hartwegii

I think the hairs make them extremely beautiful, especially in the sun!

Indian Rhubarb - Darmera peltata

The Indian Rhubarb flowers are in bloom along the edge of creeks and the river. The flowers have two to three styles (red in color), which may be mistaken for multiple ovaries, but they all connect to one, single-chambered ovary. More in two weeks...

Showy Phlox - Phlox speciosa

I'm happy to report that the one patch of Showy Phlox that I've ever seen, is in bloom again! They are SO lovely! More in two weeks...

Western Wallflower - Erysimum capitatum

I love the bright orange of these Wallflowers! They are a striking contrast to the surrounding, dark green forest! More in two weeks...

My Scarecrows in the Fall

I used to make and sell life-size scarecrows on line. They were called "Garden Folk" and over the years I sold over 600 of them! Sunset Magazine even did an article on them many years ago! I made the heads/faces and created their outfits from thrift store clothes, while my husband made the support sticks! I stopped making them 12 years ago, but I still make some for our current garden. The above photo was taken last Fall. 

My Scarecrows this Spring

A few weeks ago I noticed that the male scarecrow wasn't looking too good, 

and a few days later the head was gone!!!  It turns out that a Douglas Squirrel had been pulling all the stuffing out of its head, to use in a nest!!! How fun! Glad he/she could use the fiberfill! I'll see if I can find the squirrel's nest! It should be pretty obvious, maybe! Hah!

Sierra Buttes 4/7/26

What's happening in the Lakes Basin?

What migratory birds are showing up?

What's blooming?

What herps are showing up?

Check back for the answers to these questions and more, 

in my next blog (a little less than two weeks from today) on Sunday, May 9th.

Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!