Vernal vistas

March 20, 2026

Storm on the bunchgrass straits, (2017)

Images from the thaw of spring

There’s something both elevating and humbling about thundersnow in an afternoon when the subtle lift of warmer air mixes with the lingering fingers of winter. It even has a discernible smell to it, water vapor blended with ozone. As the wind subsides, notes of birdsong arise from a cast that hasn’t been heard from for a while.

Magpie in nest building mode, carrying a wad of mud to mold an inner sanctum.

Grass widows harvest the sunlight

A Western Meadowlark announces from its post

Rainbows above a camas bloom at Miller’s Ranch, east of Sprague, WA

In the forest, a Red-breasted Nuthatch snatches a seed

Passing spring storm, south of Lamont, WA (2022)

Happy first day of spring. Today’s post is free but please support the cause with a paid subscription to The Daily Rhubarb at the link above… tjc

Grazing marmot in a rimrock meadow

Rufous-sided towhee in its thicket

Crab Creek running high through the Drumheller Channels near Othello, WA