Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:44 am, sunset 4:33 pm for a total daylength of 6 hours and 48 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 2 seconds longer.
After two weeks of single digit temperatures, strong north winds and sunshine, the thermometer rose steadily today from 12º to 20º while the wind mercifully dropped to a mere 8 mph. A dark gray blanket of clouds lurked at the mouth of the bay by late afternoon, possibly bearing the snow and warming temperatures forecast for Sunday-Tuesday.
The short, cold, clear-sky days since the CBC provided ghostly streamers of rising and blown steam from the warmer bay; inspiring vistas of blue-shadowed snowy mountains; an almost regular opportunity to watch the moon wax fat and wane thin as it rose, sailed across the starry sky, then set over those spectacular mountains bookending the bay; frozen jellies lining the beach with their amazing spoked-wheel patterns overlaid on their solid white ice bodies. The low, golden, northern winter light makes me take photos like a tourist.
The day after the Count, the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD disappeared, likely a victim of the bitter cold and long nights. What a marvel to last so long, giving all so much joy at his very existence. I spotted the lone TRUMPETER SWAN reported on the ice at the Lagoon nine days after the Count but not since, neither the RING-NECKED DUCK. The SHORT-EARED OWL continued at the tidelands, but no one has reported from Tonsina to see if that owl is still there with the Three-Toed Woodpecker.
Ava’s RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET(s) is still active, squeezing in suet snacks between the much larger and more aggressive DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. While his bright ruby-red crown is indeed impressive, his golden feet are astonishing! So big and bright! There’s a good case for renaming the species to Golden-slipper Kinglet.
Enjoy de-light and Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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