Author: Dorothy Nielson

A warm fall evening in the foothills of Mariposa shows off a beautiful star filled sky and Milky Way and the towns of Madera and Chowchila in the distance.

All The hype about the Super Blue Moon got me curious so I went out to check it out. And it did live up to the hype. A Blue Moon, also known as a Harvest Moon happens when there are two full moons within the same month. A super moon happens when the moon is closest to earth which only happens 3 or 4 times a year. So having both occur at the same time is pretty special and it was indeed beautiful.

We have had a very harsh and long winter and some of the people living around me have been waiting anxiously for signs of spring, and it looks like it is actually going to happen. This little male house finch visited my back yard yesterday and stopped to rest on a newly leafed-out plant. The respite from the rain and snow is brief but a welcome change. Stay healthy everyone!

As we are being warned in our area about the arrival of yet another cold storm this week with snow and heavy rain, spring is announcing it’s arrival in the Merced area with flowering nut and fruit trees. The almonds and citrus in the valley are usually the first to bloom and fill the valley with wonderful scents. Such a lovely time of year.

My dear friend and photo partner Val was here for a short visit but managed a trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge with me. It was a wonderful way to spend our time together. A day at a place I cherish with a friend I cherish. What could be better? Stay safe and stay healthy.

I am happy that we live in an area that supports wildlife. Grey foxes will visit us periodically to check on our mouse population, and I must say they do a very good job. Foxes do not bother domestic animals or people. They are very shy and feed primarily on small rodents, wild berries, seeds, vegetables and fruits. When the foxes are around my mouse and rat population population drops. I welcome them setting up residence close by.