Overcast with rain in the afternoon. Moderate wind and temperatures into the mid-40s.
I got out for a bit this morning. First to Thimbleberry Lake, then up Verstovia Trail for a walk and talk.
I was surprised to count over 20 eagles at the upper end of Thimbleberry lake. Some were on the shore, others perched in tress. I guess they like to bathe up there, but I’m not sure.
I did not hear too many birds singing, but two Dark-eyed Juncos were trading songs across the lake. I also heard Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Pacific Wrens. I listened for Rufous Hummingbirds, but did not hear any. I did hear plenty of bumblebees buzzing around, presumably taking advantage of all the blueberries blooming.
I felt decent going up Verstovia Trail to the first viewpoint. Between the Verstovia stairs and the last switch back I probably pushed a little harder than I needed to. It’s easy to do, as this is more consistently steep than the rest of the trail to the first viewpoint (above is consistently steeper for most of it). I made it to the viewpoint in just over 22 minutes. I think a little slower than my fastest paces of the year so far. I considered going further, but decided I had too much to do and went down instead.
Near the beginning of the trail many violets are blooming, and I saw my first purple sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza purpurea) blooming.
I finally finished up publishing March photojournals (and one from last September so I could link to it). The next couple of days will be taken up with preparing for the Rainy Day Bazaar and being there, so it will be a bit yet before I can catch all the way up. With more daylight and more going on, it’s getting more challenging, but I’ve not given up.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
