Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Golden Afternoon and Golden-crowned Sparrow

Seward, Alaska

After a very wet sn’rainy morning of white rain, the dark clouds suddenly lifted and let the golden sun ride its rim across the southern sky. Fog drifted off the mountains and spruce trees. By early afternoon, blue sky appeared in ragged holes in the clouds and sunbeams warmed the body and spirit. So beautiful!

The first sizeable flock of SNOW BUNTINGS for this winter, about 16, flew high overhead with the snowy mountains for a backdrop. Over 100 COMMON MERGANSERS paddled in unison south of the Uplands, with several MARBLED MURRELETS a bit farther out, and 25+ PELAGIC CORMORANTS (said to be solitary!) rafted up, chasing small fish. MEW GULLS sat on pilings waiting for opportunity to knock.

I looked for the Purple Finch at Ava’s among all the PINE GROSBEAKS, but found a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW instead. The usual guests were busy at her feeders: HAIRY and DOWNY WOODPECKERS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES.

Robin C found a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE on Bear Drive and Resurrection Blvd with PINE GROSBEAKS, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and JUNCOS.

At the end of the afternoon, I found the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER busy at work, probably glad it stopped snowing.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward, Alaska












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