20 March

20, 22 March 

20 March 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S83762333

Weather:  12 m 8C wind NW10, 3pm 7C windWNW 10  cloudy, occasional showers

Tide:  1 pm 3m

22 March

https://ebird.org/checklist/S83903194

Weather:  8 am 1C  wind SW 5, 1pm 8C wind NNW 17,  Sunny with cloudy interval

Tide:  10:30 am 3.7m


20 March

So here we are, the first day of spring.  I set out late as I'd waited for the weather to improve.  (It did, a bit...)   After a leisurely breakfast (toast and coffee and the news online...), and a few domestic chores, I could see that indeed it was clearing a bit.  I suspected that it would rain more, but decided to brave the elements.  

I packed a lunch, for a change, as it was getting a bit late for my usual coffee and granola bar.  There really is nothing that can beat a kaiser bun and Balderson's extra old cheddar, and an apple and a thermos of tea.

Looking over the fields near me, I could see why gardening isn't a good bet here.


These critters do like a change from grass.  

It really wasn't all that birdy by mid-day, but the walk was pleasant, and lunch overlooking the Straits was very fine indeed, and the rain held off long enough for me to sit in relative comfort..  

Continuing along the river, the eagles were at the downstream nest.  


I still always wonder at the way in which I can photograph the nest and miss the second bird nearby.   He/she shows up in the photo, but I don't see him/her when I first spot the nest.  (Both male and female tend the nest and I can only tell male and female apart when both are together.)

By the time I got home it was raining rather heavily.  Sunday is supposed to be wet, but Monday looks promising.

22 March

Monday looked promising...but I was wakened at about 4:30 this morning by a torrential downpour.  Oh well, I thought, and went back to sleep.  To my amazement it was brilliantly clear at 6:30.  So, breakfast and off I went.

The early light on the path was an enchantment, and the new growth is emerging quickly.  


There are pussy willows just forming.


And a nice fox sparrow


and a fluffy siskin (it was rather nippy first thing in the morning).


Light overcast moved in after the alpine clarity of the early morning.



It was a fairly full tide, and patches of mist lay over the offshore islands.


As I was admiring the view, a man walked up whom I've seen before, looked out and said, "This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world."  It's nice to know other folks agree with my opinion.  

The eagle on the downstream nest was at home, gazing about.  I saw the eagles circling the upstream nest.  It's quite a deep nest, and it's possible that the nesting bird just isn't always visible.

The river is up a bit, but still clear.



At one point I thought I saw smoke on the path ahead of me, but in fact is was a wild plum blooming profusely.


It was a fine morning's walk.  The next two days look less promising.  I may drive up-island and check out migrations.

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