Sitka Nature

I took a little time while on my way home last night to shoot some pictures of the moon rising over the mountains and Crescent Bay.

 

After 3 cold springs in a row, it’s been kind of refreshing to have this year’s warmth in late winter, and an early start to Spring. There’s still a decent chance of below freezing temperatures and/or snow to come in March and even into April, but I’m hoping there aren’t any more hard freezes, or the berry crop will probably be a bust. It is an El Nino year, so perhaps that will keep things a bit warmer than usual. I would like to take some time to look back at the springs in other El Nino years to see if there’s any consistent pattern.

The pictures in this entry were taken yesterday, but the blueberries started blooming around town at least a couple of weeks ago, and there were crocus blooming by 2 February.

On a recent birding outing, I was able to record some vocal shorebirds, including one of a dozen Black Oystercatchers and a flock of Black Turnstones (with a Dunlin and 8 Rock Sandpipers mixed in, though I’m not sure if their voices can be picked out).

Black Oystercatchers

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Black Turnstones (with accompanying calls from other birds in the area)

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• Entering bird observations from Feb '81-I was 5, and not really aware of these birds, but it's interesting to see some of what I missed. #
• Making spruce tip and orange ice cream with last year's spruce syrup. The way it's going so far the spruce tips will be out again very soon. #
• Sunny and calm, temp near 50F (feels warmer in the sun) – easy to forget it's still only February! #

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