Category Archives: nature

False Spring Has Sprung

Posted on February 5, 2014 by joanienaz

In between the rain that has arrived at last, I have been stalking the songbirds around the cabin this week. The light has been infuriating, but I am stubborn. The monochromatic Oak Titmouse, signature species of the oak woodland where … Continue reading →

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The Opposite of Rain

Posted on January 30, 2014 by joanienaz

Here in the Sierra foothills of Northern California, we have had exactly two days of rain this month. The first single day of moisture was a light mist to a drizzle. The second, yesterday, was real rain, with puddles forming … Continue reading →

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Liebster Award

Posted on January 22, 2014 by joanienaz

A shout out to Jwls Mac Ray for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you for the honor! It is an award given to highlight smaller blogs with less than 200 followers. If you choose to accept the award, you may answer the 10 … Continue reading →

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Northern Flicker, Western Version

Posted on January 15, 2014 by joanienaz

The weather has been so mild this week here in Northern California, I’m beginning to get Spring Fever. Although it might just be a virus. I found this draft of a post from last May, and thought I might as well … Continue reading →

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Birdwatching at the Arcata Marsh

Posted on January 8, 2014 by joanienaz

I stretched the limits of my 55-200 lens on this female Northern Harrier, hunting at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Humboldt County, California last month. It was a memorable trip. I was trying to get closer to some … Continue reading →

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Wednesday is the First Day of the Week

Posted on January 1, 2014 by joanienaz

Wouldn’t it be great if Wednesday was the first day of the week? All of our anxiety over how to get through yet another five-day work week (for those of us who follow a traditional schedule) would dissolve. Sure everything … Continue reading →

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California Snow

Posted on December 7, 2013 by joanienaz

If you grew up in suburban California, snow in your yard was something that happened once in a blue moon. An inch of fluffy white stuff was scraped into tiny snowballs and hurled at siblings before it all melted away … Continue reading →

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The Bufflehead Are Back!

Posted on November 14, 2013 by joanienaz

Yesterday we spotted Bufflehead ducks at a local pond, swimming with the Canada geese. They’re back! We haven’t seen them since late February. So today, I took my camera and here are the results. A  bit fuzzy, but the light was low … Continue reading →

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Mystery Droppings, Escrow, and Saying Goodbye

Posted on July 25, 2013 by joanienaz

We are moving. After living eighteen years in the same house (a record for both myself and my husband), we have sold our home and are packing up all of the “stuff” that we can’t bring ourselves to jettison. To … Continue reading →

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Skipping Gull

Posted on July 21, 2013 by joanienaz

A trip to the Northern California coast this weekend to escape from the inland heat included plentiful wildlife enjoying a cool, gray day. I found this gull skipping along the edge of the surf at Mad River Beach near Arcata … Continue reading →

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