Water Fowl in the Snow

by | Seattle

water birds in the snow

This city is just not equipped to handle snow; everything shuts down and only major arterials are plowed. The accumulation this year is really out of the ordinary, and this weather has lasted longer than I remember as well.

We had to get out of the house yesterday, so we walked to the lake.  The snow was deep enough that the one block hike was exhausting.

I was blown away by the number of birds in the water.  I can always count on this spot for some bird watching, but not this many birds.

birds on lake union in the snow

ducks on lake union in the snow

snowy ducks and houseboats

birds trees boats snow

Help a Lazy Girl Appease Her Curiosity

by | Daily Life

Ok, all you botany experts out there: I need help figuring out what this plant is. It grows at one of the UW buildings about 2 blocks from my apartment. I didn’t notice it until a week ago, although I’ve walked past this building daily for nearly a year. I don’t know if it’s pink all year round, or just in the fall.

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The “flower” seems to actually be some kind of pod that contains a moist orange fruit like substance inside.

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Have any of you seen this before? Do you know what it is?

I’m sure I could probably do some research on my own, but that would be way too much like homework. 🙂