5 February

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S80476240

Weather:  8am 5C, wind WNW 13  (cloudy, gradual clearing),  1 pm 7C wind NW 13  scattered cloud

Tide:  10:30 4.6m (peak tide, falling)


The forecast was for sunny, but the early morning was dark and threatening.  Paths remain boggy.  I'm kind of startled to see how many walkers are still wearing running shoes--icky wet feet!

The merganser pond (I wonder if it has a real name?  Must ask someone...) has come back down to normal size, even though much of the fields are still flooded.


The weather cleared gradually, starting in the northwest, and showing Arrowsmith at its most spectacular.


A group of twitchers (not birders--twitchers) joined me on the lookout over the fields.  They were carrying very up-market spotting scopes and wearing very up-market gumboots and outdoor gear.  This seems to be a part of being a twitcher--the pricy stuff is part of the collection mentality.  They charged up to me, asking, "Is there anything good?!"  To which I made my usual reply--"Don't know too many bad birds."  (I know, some people take issue with Canada Geese, not without cause, but I find the question brings the snarky worst out in me...)  Actually there had been a splendid northern harrier soaring about, which people seem to find unusual here.  (I see her at least once a week, so maybe not a rarity.   And probably not a "good bird" if you're a vole or other little critter.)  Unfortunately too distant to get a good photo.  Another time.

It was about an hour after high tide when I got to the shore.  



The ducks were settled in the various islets toward the river.  

There was a nice little horned grebe paddling about, in winter plumage. Looks to be studying me in this shot.  They dive and stay under for so long it's often rather hard to predict where they're going to surface.


The river is very silty just now.  I'm thinking it has to do with snowmelt and run-off from logging operations upstream.



Along the muddy path homeward there was a very obliging little Anna's hummingbird.  I haven't managed too many shots of hummers irridescing, so I'm pleased with this.  They fluff up amazingly, too.


Heading into a week of clear and cold weather, and flurries forecast for next weekend.

Comments

  1. Jim PickenFebruary 6, 2021 at 1:14 PM

    Love all your photos. Is Arrowsmith the mountain? The greens and blue are such a contrast with our whites and greys of this past week. I hadn't heard the 'twitcher' term before!

    ReplyDelete

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