Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:28 am, sunset 8:19 pm for a total day length of 12 hours and 51 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 24 seconds shorter.
After almost an inch of rain yesterday and strong wind, morning crept in quietly, wrapped in a soft gray shawl. I drove to the beach to see if any migrants spent the night. On my way, a coyote dashed across the road in front of me, ran several yards then stopped to listen intently. I pulled over and turned off the car as I grabbed my camera. After several long seconds, it ran back across the road and into the bushes. So exciting!
Walking through the sedges near the pond, dozens of silent mayfly-type insects rose up around me. Their upright posture and dangling legs reminded me of winged dandelion seeds floating in the air. Must be a late hatch that was just waiting for the rain to stop. A dragonfly zoomed nearby, perhaps looking for breakfast.
At the beach, a very late GREATER YELLOWLEGS stalked an intertidal puddle as if it were still summer, gobbling what I think were sticklebacks or possibly pink salmon fry. Dozens of AMERICAN WIGEON dabbled at the incoming tide’s edge in an array of plumages.
Up ahead, an adult BALD EAGLE perched on a driftwood log, busily preening as white downy feathers wafted away. I felt lucky to watch this regal eagle in such an intimate and relaxed moment; usually they feel compelled to look fierce and ready for action.
I did not find a reported Northern Harrier or any tired Cranes.
As the clouds drifted away, I drove to the Mile 1 Nash Road wetlands. This time, the Trumpeter Swan family lingered in the open. Two of the adult-sized, gray cygnets napped in the welcome sunshine while the other two reached deep for salad. The majestic adults preened; more white feathers floated off. It won’t be long before these 3 ½ month-old cygnets take flight.
Three more adult Swans fed at Preacher Pond near the Nash Road/Seward Highway intersection. Lovely to see.
At noon, I loaded up my ebike and drove to the Box Canyon pullout for a ride to Exit Glacier. The air smelled like fall; cottonwood leaves already fading from gold and fireweed a deep maroon mixed with green. Six weeks to snow? I hope not so soon!
A small cloud shaded the glacier for most of my trip with perfect but annoying placement. On the way back, I was able to wait for it to mosey along while I watched the sun gradually ignite the surrounding mountains, then cottonwoods, and finally the glacier.
Exit Glacier may be exiting, but it’s still spectacular. The medial moraine loaded with stolen scraped rocks snaked down the middle; deep blue crevasses showed the stress of the ice bending and cracking. The glacier imperceptibly flowed behind a belt of green and gold cottonwoods before escaping into the outwash plain in many liquid braids. Another magical day!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
