Overcast with temperatures in the 50s. Breezy. Some rain.
Today’s outing took me to Thimbleberry Lake in the afternoon. A report of a swan earlier in the day drew me that way.
From the outflow of the lake, I could see the large white bird looking small at the upper end of the lake.
In hindsight, I should have brought my longer lens. Even from further up the lake it was difficult to see enough detail for me to decide whether it was a Tundra Swan or Trumpeter Swan. I was just able to make out a touch of yellow at the base of its bill. While keeping track of the swan, I saw a scaup nearby, but it disappeared not long after.
I spent time at the Listening place bench. A chickadee in the bushes nearby seemed to be working on something, but I’m not sure what it had found to eat (assuming that’s what it was doing).
Hoping for a closer look at the swan, I bushwhacked to get from the trail to a gravel bar where a small stream empties into the lake. Along the way, I noticed the distinctive smell of stink currant (Ribes bracteosum). Despite the common name, I don’t find the smell unpleasant.
I spotted a good-sized trout in the stream. I’m not sure how big the brooke trout in Thimbleberry Lake get, but this one appeared to me to be easily over 6 inches long.
My view of the swan was a little better, but still not great.
I relaxed on the gravel bar delta before heading back.
I heard my first-of-season Swainson’s Thrush while going back the brush. It called several times, and gave one short snippet of a partial song.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
