29 March

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S84352054

Weather:  8am 4C windWNW 9,  12m 8C wind WNW 19 gust 28.  Clear.

Tide:  10 am  3.2 m, falling

After the genuinely nasty weather yesterday (high winds, torrential rain squalls, and hail), a glorious morning.  Sunny, crisp, but beautiful.


The rosebushes are leafing out:


I'm really looking forward to them coming into bloom--there are so many, the fragrance will be incredible.  

The new growth gleamed in the sunlight.


After the winds of yesterday, the Straits were wild.


I'd heard the surf, loud in the night.  

The mid-tide meant that there was a generous representation of ducks--mostly widgeons and mallards.  I sat counting ducks and drinking coffee in the sun.  The shade was still quite chilly, but my bench was nicely sheltered.

When I continued along my path I met a young(ish) woman carrying a camera with a spectacular lens and garbed in what appeared to be Cabela's latest.   She saw me studying a pair of geese in the salt marsh offshore and asked if they were interesting?  Actually, they weren't but I'd wanted to see if they were nesting.  (Probably.)  She continued on her way, quickly, and missed a glorious sight--



sunlight gleaming through the wild plum blossoms, with the river in the background.

I continued...both eagle nests had eagles perched on them.  


I can only think how very tough it must have been for them yesterday, in the wind and especially in the hail.  Such perseverance!  I hope they have nice broods of eaglets.  (I'd hope that anyhow, wouldn't I?)

I met another photographer--a charming elderly gentleman who told me that the bush behind me was "full of kingbirds."  I was astonished, as kingbirds are more typically birds of open fields and dry terrain.  And sure enough, the bush was full of kinglets.  Oh well,  kinglets are nice birds, too.

Heading back from the riverside, I watched as a pair of flickers took turns working at opening a nest cavity.



After my reflections on the awfulness of sitting on a nest in violent wind and rain and hail, I could only think that these cavity dwellers have got it right, even though drilling and clearing a home must be like work.

It was, in any case, a fine day.  And a last bit of wonderfulness--in fear and trembling, after the weather, I checked my camper and --NO LEAKS!  Simple pleasures.




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