Cloudy with little rain during daylight hours. Mixed snow and rain later in the day. Winds calm.
I spent some time with the birds at the channel today.
A high tide made for a narrow shoreline, and quite a few birds were near the shore.
Among them was a Red-necked Grebe and Horned Grebe near the work float. They did not quite move close enough together for the best comparison shot, but I was able to get them both in the same frame.
I watched the Red-necked Grebe tilt its head too look into the sky a couple of times. I didn’t think to try and crane my head out the window of my car (which serves as a pretty good blind) to see if an eagle or something was up there.
A feral rose is growing along the road to the work float parking. I don’t remember noticing it previously, but the red rosehip stood out to me today.
I had a visit from the crow with a damaged bill (and some friends) while I watched from the ramp.
I saw two first cycle Glaucous Gulls. Both were among the paler I’ve ever seen this early. One had pale eyes, maybe only the second time I’ve seen this.
A pale shorebird flew by, but I only had a brief look. I think it was a Sanderling, probably the same one reported in the area last week.
At the kelp patch pull out, a crow was eating some of the bird food. I am interested to see if it brings friends.
While watching from Sea Mart for a few minutes a land otter popped up briefly among the kelp.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
