9, 10 March

9 March 

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S83094214

Weather:  8am 3C wind calm, 1pm 7C wind NW 10, cloudy

Tide:  10:30 am 3.5m, turning to full

10 March

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S83150375

Weather:  8 am 3C, wind W6, 12m 8C wind NW 7 clearing

Tide:  10:30 am 3.2m, turning to full

9 March

Weather forecast was for 60% chance of showers and looked ominous.  Despite that, the initial kilometre of the path was very birdy.  I counted 19 species in that short distance.  

The sky continued to threaten throughout the entire walk, but it didn't rain.



I find a certain sombre beauty in mornings like these, and even with the clouds, the change of season is becoming evident.  Among other things, the paths, although still muddy, are not flooded.  The bird population hasn't changed substantially yet--it will, but the bird song is changing.  The towhees have added trilled notes to their characteristic rather fussy squawk.  

There was an Anna's hummingbird iridescent despite the low light...  



...and a handsome young bald eagle surveying the Straits, no doubt selecting which duck would make a good lunch.


The clouds opened over the Coast Range, lighting the distant snow.


The eagles' nests along the river didn't look occupied, but they're quite deep and sometimes the birds aren't visible.

BUT!!!

The pacific crabapple is now in bloom!


Glory.

10 March

The morning started out dark, but cleared to brilliant sunshine.  It was a less birdy day than the 9th but had a couple of interesting encounters.  There!  I'm now using that "interesting" word!  

The light on the fields was warming, as the clouds lifted.






The herring spawn is now officially started and there was a procession of trawlers and other craft headed up the Straits.



The eagles were on both nests up the river.  They're not easy to photograph, given distance and foliage, but I find it exciting to watch them settling in.



Their nests are, unsurprisingly, enormous, and re-occupied from one year to the next.  

In addition to the eagles, there was a belted kingfisher, posing on a rock in the stream.


The river has cleared and subsided somewhat:



I would assume that the clarity of the river makes life easier for the kingfisher.  He certainly was studying the river carefully.  

A pair of fine days.



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