5, 7 December

5 December

eBird Data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S98514347

weather:  8:30 am 0C wind WNW 8, 12:00m 3C wind  high cloud, clearing

tide:  10:30 am 4.0m , falling

7 December

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S98595088

weather:   9 am:  3C wind ESE2, 12:30 4C wind SE 8  cloudy

tide:  11 am 4.6m, falling

A hard freeze last night.  The Merganser pond was nearly frozen over--


---I don't know where the hoodies go when this pond is iced over.  I've seen them offshore, but seldom, and they do seem to prefer ponds.  

It was a relatively high tide, and abundant ducks, as well as a lone oystercatcher.



The light was unusual--although it was sorta clear, it was filtered.


I looked for the dipper where I'd seen him yesterday.  I couldn't see him, but he was singing, quite beautifully.  I think he was tucked against the bank out of view.

There was a gold-crowned kinglet


--I find they tend to be rather evasive, but this little character was a bit obliging.

A fox sparrow posed nicely for me.  The full-face view shows the bicolour beak, which, along with the chevron-shaped spots, sets it apart from song sparrows.



The river is down a bit, still high, and swift.  I don't know how to get the strange green spots out of the photo.  They're the result of shooting into the sun, but they don't seem to want to leave.  I'll have to work at my post-processing--it would be a good photo, otherwise.





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