I awoke to an intense
high-pitched whine in the middle of the night. Nothing like the threat of
cleaning up the rug to launch me from my warm bed! I threw open the door and
let the good dog out to deal with whatever she scrounged from the beach
earlier. I'm sure it was something very tasty at the time. Yuck.
After a long wait, I wondered
where she went. I wandered outside in my PJs and stared up at the absolutely
cloudless sky filled with sparkling stars and the serene moon. Orion filled
most of the southern sky with Jupiter now a bit to his right, and his faithful
Sirius the Dog Star at his heel, flashing brilliant green and red and white.
What a delightful surprise, considering the forecast. What do they know? It
didn't even feel cold though it was right at 32ยบ and no wind. Beautiful,
peaceful, and quiet. Finally, the good dog returned, apparently cured, and we
went back to dreamland.
Several hours later when it
was really time to get up, I found the sky still clear. In the predawn, Jupiter
shone bravely, reduced to a pinpoint of light heading behind Mt Marathon. I
knew Orion was nearby and bid him farewell. Venus, another white speck of light
to the southeast, heralded the rising sun. The moon, however, remained as
bright as ever, sailing high across the lightening sky.
Ava called at 8 am (before
sunrise) to report 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS roosting in spruce trees next to the
mountainside. What a strange sight to find such a long-legged, long-necked
large bird sitting in a tree! Who knows anything about these herons; where do
they nest? How to they survive our long, cold winters? Where do they hide when
no one sees one for such long periods of time?
Ava also reported that the
juvenile CEDAR WAXWING seems to have bonded with the ROBIN and calls out for it
when he leaves. The Robin, in turn, no longer chases it away. Could be another
odd couple for the winter if they both decide to stay.
On the pre-dawn morning walk
around the block, the first bird I saw was a VARIED THRUSH stealthily picking
through the grass on the lawn. A STELLER'S JAY boldly landed nearby and it
fled. I heard or saw the usual BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, RAVENS, RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and a few SONG SPARROWS.
I also heard a PINE GROSBEAK singing overhead.
Sirens distracted me from
birding, and I watched the Seward Volunteer Firefighters respond to a
neighbor's chimney fire. Flames crackled around the chimney top and smoke
poured out. It was soon under control, thank goodness, and thanks to the
volunteers who rose so early on a Sunday morning to help!
Throughout the morning, I
watched the moon roll towards the mountains, appear to climb the Race Trail,
and then set behind Mt Marathon. By traveling north, I found her again above
the snowy mountains before she set behind Mt Benson. Had I ventured out towards
Exit Glacier again, I suspect I could have watched her set a third time!
The north wind returned with
force after its nap, blowing all day from 14 to 28 mph with gusts to 43 mph!
The waves on the bay frothed and their white caps were tossed to the wind. It
was a challenge to walk at the beach, but the good dog swam and dove with
gusto. I found a lovely lavender/purple jelly along with the usual brown, gold,
white, clear, and mottled ones.
Out of the wind it seemed
balmy by contrast, with temps in the upper 30s. I found dozens of COMMON
MERGANSERS hiding behind the Uplands in the lee of the wind. Four COMMON
GOLDENEYES cruised the calm waters of the boat harbor, wary of a BALD EAGLE
flapping in the wind overhead. PELAGIC CORMORANTS and a few GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS fled as a tug pushed a barge laden with material dredged from the harbor
past the coal ship, and out into the teeth of the wind and waves.
It was nice and calm back at
home, so I worked outside on projects, listening to the birds, watching the sun
race across the sky and sink too soon, behind the mountains.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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