Seward, Alaska
Brrr! Chilly today with a cold south wind and temps in the low 40s.
Yesterday was so warm, the cottonwood and alder catkins burst into bloom like Slinkies popped from a can. The sticky cottonwood buds littered the ground. One could almost hear leaf buds bursting and the tiny origami leaves unfolding. Not so much today!
I did return to Exit Glacier parking lot where the NPS staff was still working hard to make the parking and access safe. Boots are still needed for the snowy trails. While scanning the greening mountainside, I suddenly saw a momma black bear strolling over a small rise to a meadow, followed by her two cubs. So black! Blacker than any shadow or crevice. They all seemed to be grazing on the foot-high False Hellebore, a poisonous plant to us, but a very useful plant for them. In brief, it helps pop the plug on their digestive tract so they can get a fresh start after a many months-long hibernation.
The nearby visitors were very excited to see the black dots, and even spotted a single black bear nearer on the mountainside. Even though the shrubs were still leafless, he disappeared before our eyes.
Still hoping to find some brown bears and cubs.
As for birds, I heard a WILSON’S SNIPE winnowing in addition to all the birdsong from yesterday.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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