Seward,
Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
As
the late afternoon sun rolled over the mountains, I managed to squeeze in a
quick beach walk. Such a magical light! The beach rye grasses swished and
whispered in the strong north wind, radiant golds and russets, drained of all
green. It seemed pretty quiet, bird-wise, not even a ranting raven.
Suddenly,
a SHORT-EARED OWL lifted off from the driftwood ahead and flew in a long arc in
front of me along the beach. Its stunning yellow eyes glowed in the sun's
spotlight. Then it wheeled about and flew high and higher, a tiny form against
the snowy mountains. I switched from my camera to my binoculars to savor the
wondrous sight. Even better, it abruptly
changed its mind and flew down to land on the flattened sedges a long ways down
the beach. As it sat there looking around, I saw for the first time, the tiny
ears that give this magnificent owl its name.
Not
wanting to disturb it, I turned around and walked back into the lengthening mountain
shadows.
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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