11, 12, 14 December

 11 December

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S98752149

weather:  8:30 am 5C wind SSW 4, 11:30 am 4C wind S8, cloudy then rain

tide:  10 am, 4.2 m, rising

12 December

EBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S98804829

weather:  8:30 am 2C wind SSE 4, 12:00m 3C wind SSE 18, cloudy, then rain and snow mixed.

tide:  11 am 4.4m rising

14 December

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S98887133

weather:  8:30 am 0C wind W2, 12:00m 4C wind ESE 9, partly cloudy

tide:  10:30 am 3.6m, rising


Two days of quite nasty weather, then a chilly but mostly sunny day.

The 11th:  The river was high and turbid, and rain arrived early on my walk.  I carried on, and was reasonably comfortable in my rain gear, although I'm apprehensive about my camera's raincoat, and didn't take many photos. 


All that said, even when the weather is hostile, there is a beauty to the river.  

12 December

Somewhat less nasty weather than yesterday, although it ended up with mixed precipitation.  The worst of snow and rain!

It was a very high tide, with the fields flooded and occupied by hordes of mallards.  And, in fact!  Three trumpeter swans flew over, trumpeting.  Not common down here, but always glorious.

It had snowed the night before, and there were patches of snow along the river.




Offshore, there were noisy flocks, mostly of widgeons, but with some more exotic ducks as well.






The two ducks to the left of the flock are a male and female Eurasian widgeon.  They're been less common this year than last year.  No idea why.


There were a couple of elegant gadwalls, again uncommon in these parts, but handsome ducks.

14 December

A somewhat sunny and dry day, cold.  

I was a bit pressed for time as I had an appointment for a COVID booster, so didn't take as much time taking photos.  

Mid-tide was a bit less ducky than it's been.  (Well, why not?  If one can use the term "birdy" to describe lots of birds, why not "ducky?"  I'm trying to establish it in the birding community here...with some success.)  The sea was very calm as I sat drinking coffee and counting the few ducks who were present.

It had snowed on the high country on the inner ridge of the Island.


There was a flock of five varied thrush in the trees along the shore.  Pretty birds, I think.


After which I made my way to the pharmacy and had a needle stuck in my arm.  Here's luck.




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