Seward
Sporadic Bird Report
A
series of sunny days was so welcome after the drama of the recent flood.
Without dense clouds to conceal the sun's movements, it is clear that the sun
is sneaking farther and farther south, and rising later and later. The clear
nights delivered twinkling stars, the Milky Way, and a sprinkling of planets.
Some folks were lucky to view the Northern Lights.
In
the morning, sparkling and ephemeral icy jewels decorated the grasses and tree
leaves, thanks to Jack Frost. It was a wonder to watch the perfect crystals
slump when touched by the feeble warmth of the rising sun. Many leaves then fell at the slightest touch
of air movement, succumbing to the inevitable march of the season, going out in
glory.
A
hike to the Mt Marathon Bowl reversed the morning progression of melting. The
Bowl lay deep in shadows even in mid-afternoon. The alpine plants held
perfectly still, as if afraid to disturb their frozen finery. It will be a long
while before they see the sun again.
Bird
activity was also quiet: a young DIPPER regarded us curiously from a rock in
mid-stream, then flew noisily downstream. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, far fewer in
number than this summer, still called from high in the spruce forest. I heard a
PINE GROSBEAK singing its lovely lilting song. A large unidentified raptor
cruised over the mountainside alders then disappeared over the ridge. How I
wished I had gotten a better look!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report reporter
Beautiful photographs and writings, Carol...as always! :)
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