Friday, October 5, 2018 Morning Mood


Seward, Alaska

Unanticipated clear skies over Seward just before sunrise launched me outside to see the wonder. Low clouds obscured the bay and mist clung to the soggy landscape. But up high, the first termination dust crowned the lofty peaks. As the sun rose groggily above the Resurrection Peninsula, the warming mist began to rise, ghostly streamers bid farewell to earthly ties and vanished. Edvart Grieg’s “Morning Mood” live-streamed in my head.

As I approached the Lagoon, I watched the nine spectacular adult TRUMPETER SWANS floating majestically in synchrony like white angels, wings outstretched, over its calm water and skim to a landing on the south end. I drove around to see them gleaming in a glorious group in the dawn light. They then spread out to enjoy breakfast.

An inquisitive River Otter popped up, creating a small wake as it swam, and then smoothly rolled back down into the water and disappeared.

Above me, an adult BALD EAGLE perched on a spruce bough greeted the sun with a wild cry, neck outstretched, pointing to the heavens. Another Eagle answered then a third from along the Lagoon. Back and forth, crying then listening. A final piercing retort, and it sprang from the branch and flew to investigate the morning mission with a determined, fierce look.

I returned in the afternoon expecting to see the nine Swans. Instead, the Swan family of eight was there! I wish I had seen the exchange! They fed voraciously, tipping up to reach the green salad, long necks outstretched underwater.

An adult and brown juvenile DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT paddled in, closer and closer as if to say hello like tiny, dark swanlets It was very odd; they don’t eat salad and would not benefit from any bits floating by like Mallards. The parent Swans paused to check them out, seemed to dismiss them as not a threat, and resumed eating. But one of the cygnets cruised over and a slow speed chase ensued, with the cygnet closing in menacingly, beak open wide. The young Cormorant finally got the hint and put a little distance between them, enough for the cygnet to break off the chase.

As the Swans drew nearer, I could see and hear them slurping the aquatic plants, making bubbles and smacking their beaks rapidly at the water’s surface, like sucking down green noodles. It was quite amusing! 

Once again the Cormorants paddled over, perhaps attracted by the giant birds and their noisy dining. The adult seemed to get wise and with a lengthy pattering finally got airborne and flew off to the bay. The juvenile kept following the Swans, at a discrete distance, and was still near them when I left.

Though the gray skies and light rain returned that afternoon, it was certainly a most fabulous day. Thank you, Edvard Grieg!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter











      

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