Seward,
Alaska
Sunrise
8:10 am, sunset 7:21 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 10 minutes.
Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.
Calm,
sunny, high of 48ยบ, fresh snow on all the surrounding mountains, and exciting
wildlife sightings; what a soothing antidote to the swan cygnets tragedy.
The
first birds of the day were a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK chasing a squawking MAGPIE.
They dashed out of sight, followed at a safe distance by several backup STELLER’S
JAYS. Outcome unknown.
The
reduced Swan family of 6 was not at the Lagoon today, but was reported in the
area. I spotted a single TRUMPETER SWAN flying in to the pond at the head of
the bay. I suspect this is one of the two remaining swans from last year’s
family, all grown up at 16 months. The golden light on the white swan was stunning.
Coincidentally,
a painting by Joseph Hautman featuring an equally stunning pair of flying
Trumpeter Swans was selected for the 2016-2017 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamp, aka Duck Stamp.
Please
consider purchasing the $25 Duck Stamps annually (available in mid-June) at the
Post Office. The money raised goes into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to
conserve and protect wetland and grassland habitats in the National Wildlife
Refuge System for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people. It is a
very effective program and a good bang for your buck, even if you are not a
hunter.
Check
out the winning designs (all three by the Hautman brothers this year) at
<http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/duck-stamp-contest-and-event-information.php>
At
least two Humpback Whales plied the bay today, again thrilling all who heard or
saw them. A local photographer has identified 5 individual whales by their
distinctive markings. It is so unusual and so spectacular, especially when they
lunge feed or breach. At times, they were so close, I could hear not only the explosive, whooshing exhale, but the sucking, whistling intake. So impressive!
I
also watched a Steller Sea Lion thrash around a large codfish. With great
shaking sweeps and splashing, the head and gills finally flew off, and the sea
lion snarfed it down. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES hovered over the scraps, diving
cautiously and quickly to retrieve the morsels.
A
couple of purposeful Harbor Porpoises rose up and down quickly, barely showing
their arched backs and dorsal fins. Sea Otters cruised past, oblivious to the
fishy feasts, content to crunch on blue mussels and crabs.
Over
in the Small Boat Harbor, more Sea Otters lounged about, feasting on mussels
harvested from the sides of the docks, very convenient. Lion’s Mane jellies pulsed in the
green water. A local sailboater told us that if you stick your hand in the
water about 2 to 3 feet from a jelly, it will move towards you.
So
of course, we had to try that. My friend went first, and sure enough, the
Lion’s Mane jelly seemed to veer towards his hand and touched it! That was
amazing! How do they know? I tried it, and it sure seemed like the jelly pulsed
away. This will require further research!
Towards
the end of the afternoon, we checked the bay for whales one more time. A flock
of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Glaucous-winged Gulls gathered noisily over a
herring bait ball. Suddenly, a dark bird ripped through the white gulls, instantly
scattering them. A PEREGRINE FALCON! It didn’t hit anything, but didn’t stop
either as it rapidly flew out of sight, south along the shoreline. Wow!
All
in all, it was a remarkable, spectacular day of marine mammals, jellies, and a
swan, bookended by flashy raptors.
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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