18 December Photos: Snowy Swan lake
Sitka received several inches of snow this week. Swan Lake still had ice on the surface, but it was too thin for walking, so the snow remained unmarked by human tracks.
Month: December 2007
Ice on the Water
Last February after a cool calm night, I took a morning walk to Totem Park and was interested to find that most of Crescent Bay was covered in ice. Salt water is supposed to freeze at 26F, and overnight lows probably got a little bit below that, but it was hardly frigid. Temperatures on other … Read more
16 December Photos: Verstovia Mountain Hike
Today was the Christmas Bird Count and I made my fourth trek up Verstovia and down into Indian River. Day’s summary copied from weekly summary: It was Christmas Bird Count day, so I hiked up Mt. Verstovia to Peak 2550, down into the bowl and finally into Indian River Valley. Weather: Light snow was falling … Read more
Daily Observations
Sunday: I had a basketball game and stopped by Swan Lake on my way there, but did not spend much time outside otherwise. Weather: Temperatures were warmer. There was water on the surface of the ice at Swan Lake, but the lake was still pretty much entirely iced over. Birds: Mallards and the Cackling Goose … Read more
Hybrid Gulls?
I took this picture last February at Swan Lake. Currently, my best guess is that this is a hybrid gull, possibly Glaucous-winged x American Herring Gull, or a somewhat odd (to my eyes) Thayer’s Gull. I eliminate pure Glaucous-winged Gull because of the very dark on the primaries. I eliminate pure Herring Gull due to … Read more
Bohemian Waxwings
Rowan and I were riding down Biorka Street and approaching the intersection with Park Street when I heard a chirring call that sounded familiar. It took me a moment to locate the birds crossing the street above and in front of me to land in the top of a spruce tree. The light and angle … Read more