Seward, Alaska
The dreary clouds parted late yesterday; the full Harvest Moon sailed across a clear sky last night, and today dawned bright and sunny!
Great day today! At the tidelands this morning, three adult TRUMPETER SWANS amicably shared a small pond. They will likely hang together with other overwintering Swans.
A surprised momma River Otter near the beach bounded away across the tide flats, followed by her three long-tailed pups. I was surprised too and barely got my camera focused before they turned into undulating dots.
A late DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT approached from behind and flew overhead, away from the ocean. A dozen GREEN-WINGED TEAL dabbled in the pond, feeding horizontally while a single, lingering DOWITCHER, likely a LONG-BILLED, probed vertically like a rotund sewing machine.
Two rattling BELTED KINGFISHERS continued an argument from yesterday, chasing each other around. One male circled wide then flew overhead. I got lots of overhead shooting practice today!
The day was so fine and rare, I headed to Exit Glacier. The gate was reopened three days after the September 24 brown bear mauling, following an investigation and all-clear. I spotted a black bear from the parking lot, blacker than ink, foraging on the mountainside, comfortably far away. RAVENS called in the distance.
From a vantage point on the Glacier Overlook Loop Trail, I found a single Mt Goat lying down on the steep mountainside, enjoying the sunshine and maybe the view.
As I came around a bend, I heard BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and caught a flash of what I believe was a NORTHERN SHRIKE chasing one! It all happened so fast I couldn’t get a photo and though I waited and watched, all was silent.
The fall colors, blue sky, shadowed glacier, and wildlife gave the few visitors, and me, a spectacular and memorable experience in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
