Pouring Rain in California 2017

It's true. When it finally rains in California, it pours.

HD
Thursday, Feb. 16th, we had our first big rain storm in years. No post because our electricity went out.

Soaking rains over the previous month have made a huge difference for the hillside. This rain is soaking in before running off. No mud flowing.  Two inches fell before noon, a total of four and a quarter inches for the day.

Spring flowers are already emerging and the plum tree is about to burst into bloom.

Have to love the rain.

Rain Earth Minutes:
Rain in New York's Central Park in Fall
Listen to a Rainstorm Approaching Kakadu National Park, Australia
How Do Trees Dream? 
Illinois Butterflies After the Rain 
Great Horned Owl Takes Shelter

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Do Raccoons Come Out During the Day?

Here is your answer. This Earth Minute is brought to you by Bodie the dog and the neighborhood canines.

HD

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. For the last two nights we have heard two raccoons making their chittering talk at night. It isn't often that we see them in the middle of the day, but today was the exception.

This adult raccoon might have gotten hot in its daylight retreat. The weather was unusually warm today. Traveling along the fence top, the neighborhood dogs spotted it and sounded the alarm. Bodie is big enough that the raccoon took to the tree for protection.

A half hour of contained dogs and the raccoon had moved on. It'll probably be back in the early morning to explore the backyard mud for grubs and other morsels.

It's not often that a large mammal makes an unexpected visit. It's nice to have a moment with wildness here in the heart of Los Angeles. 

Other Earth Minutes with Bodie
A Romp at the Beach
Yellowstone Bison Jam
Morning in a Habitat Yard

Other Backyard Visitors in Los Angeles
Alligator Lizard
Family of Ravens
Bewick's wrens build a nest
Watching Lizards in LA Yard
Cooper's Hawk and Raven
Valley Carpenter Bees
Anise Swallowtail
Red Jumping Spider 
Ring-necked Snake
More CA Animals

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