10 April

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S85259053

Weather:  8am 3C wind WNW 11, 1pm 6C wind NNW18 gust 28

Tide:  10 am 2.8m, turning from low

Scots have a word for yesterday's weather--driech--grey, intermittently rainy, chilly wind, getting even worse.  Yep, driech.  And then last night it got worse--heavy rain, hard wind, hail.  Quite nasty.  All I could think was "Oh those poor, poor nesting eagles!  I know they're supposed to be tough birds, but that had to be miserable."  I bet they envy the little cavity dwelling birds on nights like last night. Small wonder they look so grumpy so often.

But this morning, although chilly, was glorious.  Initially a big bank of cloud to the southeast, then sky of an alpine clarity.

There were still hailstones along the paths and in the fields.

A flight of eight band-tailed pigeons passed me, too quickly to photograph.  It's only the second time I've seen band-tailed pigeons, but they disappeared into a bank of cedars so no photo.  Oh well.

Further along the path, towards the shore, there were two male intergrade flickers (red-shafted and yellow-shafted interbred) arguing over a female red-shafted.  I must read up on the breeding implications of intergrade.  Anyhow, they were very striking birds.

The tide was well out, and the duck population must have been elsewhere.  It remained a fine place to sit, drink coffee and enjoy the view.  

Further along the path, the change of season was striking.

The eagles were on their nests when I arrived although the downstream eagles took off shortly after I came by.  I don't yet see any evidence of young, although they should be hatching soon.  

The woods gleamed after the rain and with the clear light.

There was a newly-fledged Anna's hummingbird sitting in a tree, with mom still feeding him/her.  Newly fledged birds often have a somewhat disheveled appearance, not unlike little humans.  This little guy is quite cute, I think.  I don't recall seeing a fubsy hummingbird before.

It's supposed to be another sunny day tomorrow.  Perhaps the pigeons will return.