Seward,
Alaska
Unanticipated
clear skies over Seward just before sunrise launched me outside to see the
wonder. Low clouds obscured the bay and mist clung to the soggy landscape. But
up high, the first termination dust crowned the lofty peaks. As the sun rose groggily
above the Resurrection Peninsula, the warming mist began to rise, ghostly
streamers bid farewell to earthly ties and vanished. Edvart Grieg’s “Morning
Mood” live-streamed in my head.
As
I approached the Lagoon, I watched the nine spectacular adult TRUMPETER SWANS
floating majestically in synchrony like white angels, wings outstretched, over
its calm water and skim to a landing on the south end. I drove around to see
them gleaming in a glorious group in the dawn light. They then spread out to
enjoy breakfast.
An
inquisitive River Otter popped up, creating a small wake as it swam, and then smoothly
rolled back down into the water and disappeared.
Above
me, an adult BALD EAGLE perched on a spruce bough greeted the sun with a wild cry,
neck outstretched, pointing to the heavens. Another Eagle answered then a third
from along the Lagoon. Back and forth, crying then listening. A final piercing retort,
and it sprang from the branch and flew to investigate the morning mission with
a determined, fierce look.
I
returned in the afternoon expecting to see the nine Swans. Instead, the Swan
family of eight was there! I wish I had seen the exchange! They fed
voraciously, tipping up to reach the green salad, long necks outstretched
underwater.
An
adult and brown juvenile DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT paddled in, closer and closer
as if to say hello like tiny, dark swanlets It was very odd; they don’t eat
salad and would not benefit from any bits floating by like Mallards. The parent
Swans paused to check them out, seemed to dismiss them as not a threat, and
resumed eating. But one of the cygnets cruised over and a slow speed chase
ensued, with the cygnet closing in menacingly, beak open wide. The young
Cormorant finally got the hint and put a little distance between them, enough
for the cygnet to break off the chase.
As
the Swans drew nearer, I could see and hear them slurping the aquatic plants, making
bubbles and smacking their beaks rapidly at the water’s surface, like sucking
down green noodles. It was quite amusing!
Once
again the Cormorants paddled over, perhaps attracted by the giant birds and
their noisy dining. The adult seemed to get wise and with a lengthy pattering
finally got airborne and flew off to the bay. The juvenile kept following the
Swans, at a discrete distance, and was still near them when I left.
Though
the gray skies and light rain returned that afternoon, it was certainly a most
fabulous day. Thank you, Edvard Grieg!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
