5 April

 eBird data https://ebird.org/checklist/S84870325

Weather:  8 am 4C wind W8, 12 m 8C wind NW 10, clearing

Tide:  10:30 3.6 m falling

It was a day for sighting "interesting birds," but not so much for photos.  The morning started out overcast, but cleared by mid-day.

There was a very personable steller's jay along the path into the Estuary.


The roses are leafing out.


And very tiny alyssum are blooming along the path.


Offshore, there was a striking view of the northern Gulf Islands and the  coast mountains emerging from fog.


The sea was relatively calm, although as is evident from the photo, there was a fresh breeze blowing.


The eagles were nesting.  One flew over, harassed by a raven, who kept up a constant croaking as he followed the eagle.  But the eagle didn't seem overly bothered--I'd read his thoughts as "Oh yeah, you and who else, dude?"

On the path back there was a red-winged blackbird


If it hadn't been singing, I'd not have recognised it as a red-wing, but apparently this is what males in non-breeding plumage look like.  I looked it up in my "Birds of the World" website, and sure enough, this is what it is.  The song was unmistakeable, although occasionally starlings manages a credible imitation.

Didn't get a photo, but oh wow, the first rufous hummingbird appeared, again, unmistakeable song and unmistakably rufous.  I shall monitor the space and hope for photos.

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