Pollen cones on Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
I took a walk up Gavan Hill trail while Rowan was in preschool, then later in the day went through Totem Park with her.
Weather: It was mostly cloudy but pretty warm, considering the spring. Temperatures got up into the mid 50s, at least. Winds were calm.
Birds: At Swan Lake there was a female Canvasback at the lower end. I saw a few Mallards tucked away in the yellow pondlilies, but overall it was pretty quiet for waterfowl.
At Totem Park this afternoon there were 13 Whimbrels, a handful of Mew Gulls, three Green-winged Teal, a Spotted Sandpiper, and quite a few Savannah Sparrows. Off the beach were a dozen or so Scaup and a separate group of close to 20 Surf Scoters. In front of Sage Beach were 18 Common Mergansers. I also noted two Harlequin Ducks off the park.
Flora: Today was the first time I noted Purple Sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza purpurea) in bloom (seen while walking through Totem Park). I also noted that Three-leaf Goldthread (Coptis trifolia) was blooming along Gavan Trail. I also saw Tufted Bulrush (Tricophorum caespitosum) as well as another sedge getting started blooming. Overall the muskeg was still fairly brown, however.
Green berries were present on Early Blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) bushes along Gavan trail just up from the muskeg.
Villous Cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa) was starting to bloom on Sage Beach.