Seward, Alaska
As forecast, it did try to snow last night but by morning the feeble flakes caved into light rain. The sky and bay merged into unbroken gray, unsullied by any disturbance; no blue sky or sunshine peeking through, no waves, not even a ripple.
Into this monochromatic and somewhat bleak scene, slipped a few daring signs of Spring.
White furry pussy willows split their single bud scale and emerged on many Sitka willows around town. “My” RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET materialized as he always does every spring, catch-falling from the willow branches and twigs, gleaning invertebrates and other miniscule calories as he fluttered about. Welcome back!
I refound the DUSKY CANADA GOOSE resting peacefully on the tide flats. This subspecies is the darkest of the Canada Geese, and represents one of the smallest subspecies populations of North American geese.
I would expect this subspecies in the Copper River Delta and Prince William Sound, but it is reported to also nest on islands in the Gulf of Alaska. The USFSW site notes the Dusky winters primarily in the Willamette Valley and along the lower Columbia River of Oregon and Washington. They depart in early April, so this one, at least, is right on time even if somewhat lost. I hope he finds his friends!
A bazillion ducks including NORTHERN PINTAILS, GADWALL, and MALLARDS fed and conversed in the intertidal creeks and puddles. The light was dim, the ducks were far, so I didn’t get a complete survey.
Although the pond remains mostly frozen, the leads are ever wider. Seven Swans, including at least 3 TUNDRA Swans tipped up, surrounded by more ducks eager for scraps. Wait! There’s a chunky one! A single first of spring GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE!
As I slowly crept forward a few feet to get a better view, a SHORT-EARED OWL shot out just ahead of me in the beach rye grass and sailed away. Had I only been watching the ground instead of the Goose!
Thanks to Easter Sunday, few people were working today. I could clearly hear a Woodpecker drumming from over a mile away. That’s another sign of Spring! Then I heard the winnowing of a SNIPE! And a few minutes later saw it fly, too erratic for my camera to follow.
Back in town, I searched for a Humpback Whale along the waterfront, reported by Robin C. After a long search of the unusually flat calm bay, I spied the white misty blow far off in the middle, then the dorsal fin, and wow! the white patches on the underside of the tail flukes as it took a deep dive. This may be the same one we have enjoyed for several years in the bay.
As it headed slowly south down the bay, I followed along the road. Taking a chance, I drove down Lowell Point Road. The road is technically closed for repairs but again, no one was working on Easter Sunday.
The bay remained quiet, calm, and impenetrable. I spotted a few PIGEON GUILLEMOTS in breeding plumage, a dozen or so MARBLED MURRELETS, and a handful of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS waiting expectantly for the next fishing boat delivery.
A Steller Sea Lion swam by, breathing much more often than the whale. It’s really special to hear a sea mammal breathe. A Harbor Seal poked its inquisitive head up. Two Sea Otters swam along, unperturbed, eating lunch as they lazily paddled backwards.
The whale was probably on the other side by now. Many small rocks from the steep soggy slope littered the road. After passing one good-sized chunk, I decided to pull over and turn around.
The kids in the car behind me also stopped and were just about to move the rock off the road (thanks, guys!) when the whale surfaced, exploding with an enormous exhalation, right by us! The kids and I about exploded too! Their words expressed the holiness of that moment. I was busy trying to take photos.
The whale rolled to its side, showing its throat pleats, the white and scarred underside of its 15’ pectoral fin, barnacles and algae growing on the fin tubercles (the knobs), and its sleek side as it turned back over and majestically slid back underwater and absolutely disappeared. It was so close, my photos only captured portions of it. Was he scratching his back on the newly deposited granite boulders from the road repair? Totally incredible!
Again, calm and quiet except for the high-pitched calls of MARBLED MURRELETS. Was that a momma Murrelet frantically calling her youngster to get the heck out of the way or be swallowed like Jonah? Luckily, no Murrelets were directly in the monster whale’s path, though another pair was divided by the next surfacing. Mom was right! Close call! They sure looked tiny by comparison.
I followed the whale a little ways farther, anticipating its next fantastic exhalation, and reveled in the wonder of it all. Finally, it veered away from the shallower water by the Point. If the whale follows previous years’ behavior, it may continue to loop around the inner bay as it did today, providing incredible views and sounds right along the shore.
The breathing of a whale. The Kinglet, Geese, Ducks, Snipe, and Swans.
What a day! Thank you, Spring!
What a day! Thank you, Spring!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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