Monday, January 27, 2025 ASLC Octopus!

Seward, Alaska

I had the pleasure of marveling at a very active female Giant Pacific Octopus at the Alaska Sealife Center this afternoon: the fluid motion of her eight mesmerizing tentacles with their fascinating array of circular suckers diminishing in size to minute at the curling, probing tips; her rhythmic breathing as the two funnels/siphons opened and closed, waving back and forth; her enormous, shape-shifting mantle; and her mysterious, slitted eyes. 

All this in a mollusk!

As she jetted across her habitat, long tentacles trailing behind, staff explained that she would be released into Resurrection Bay in a few days. Her behavior indicated that she is ready to get on with mating and raising a family. 

I appreciated this opportunity to watch this incredible, intelligent being up close.

Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird/Octopus Report Reporter 

Monday, January 20, 2025 Saw-whet Owl calling!

Seward, Alaska

 

10:15 pm, calm, overcast, no precip.

Finally! I heard the steady and hopeful backup-bell beeping of a SAW-WHET OWL in the distance in the forest on Mt Marathon’s lower slope. So excited! I didn’t hear one all last year.

 

Happy Owling!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, January 20, 2025 Winter Beauty

Seward, Alaska 

A beautiful morning! Reflection-calm, temps in the low 30s, and no precipitation. I even forgot my warm gloves and didn’t miss them.

Sunshine like a spotlight on snowy Mt Marathon, then three wild TRUMPETER SWANS.

The usual wall of clouds rolled in from the Gulf as I enjoyed watching and photographing the antics of the seabirds at the Alaska Sealife Center in the afternoon. A wild Steller's Sea Lion rested on the old ferry dock bulwark just outside the Center, high above the water. I wonder if the four “Kodiak Killer" Orcas spotted in the inner bay yesterday had anything to do with this safe perch.

On the way home, I stopped to marvel at the swarm of ROBINS with Robin C; they looked like bees in the surrounding trees. There were at least 35; Tasha counted 47 recently. 

Among them were several PINE GROSBEAKS, a male and female DOWNY WOODPECKER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, STELLER JAYS and a couple BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES. We all appreciated the break from the rain, which arrived without invitation a few hours later.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, January 16, 2025 ASLC Winter Inspiration

Seward, Alaska

 

Rain, sn’rain, wind, calm, and repeat. After going through a few sets of rain gear and shoveling, it was delightful to be under a roof to watch and photograph the fascinating seabirds and other marine life at the Alaska Sealife Center.  

 

Cadet, a usually reclusive female BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, flew down from her clifftop heat lamp spa and took a dainty bath in a side pool then preened with her long orange bill. She took a nice afternoon stroll along the rocks before flying back up to the heights to warm up.

 

The male STELLER’S EIDER shepherded and bossed all the other Eiders like a pesky sheep dog, chasing after them as they paddled away. Despite his annoying behavior, I never saw the larger Eiders retaliate. The female Steller’s ignored him and took a nap with one eye half open.

 

Much to the delight of the visitors, the spectacular KING EIDERS and SPECTACLED EIDERS obligingly paddled back and forth in close range to display their finery from all angles. They know they are impressive!

 

The RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKES seemed content to sit quietly; only one took a spin around the habitat to startle the humans below, then landed with loud acclaim. Its vivid red tongue matched its red legs.

 

Today, the COMMON MURRES were the noisiest, calling their name as they swam back and forth in a tight formation towards the back.

 

I marveled at Pilot, the gigantic Steller Sea Lion, cruising past the underwater window with an effortless stroke of his long front flippers. His bellows rang out whenever he rocketed out onto the rocks. What a tremendous splash when he dove back it!

 

In contrast, the rotund HARBOR SEAL and SPOTTED SEAL quietly surfaced for a breath then looped around their pool, propelled by a swish of their rear flippers, casually swimming upside down without a care. 

 

A lovely time visiting with our ocean universe neighbors.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter