Today’s outdoor highlight was getting photos of what sounds like it may be only the second winter record of a Rufous Hummingbird in Alaska (and the first that has made it into the new year). Cindy and Gary have been hosting one for some time, and they were gracious enough to let me come and try to get photos. With gray skies and fading light as the afternoon went on, I didn’t get photos as nice as I might have liked, but they’re enough to tell what it is, at least.
Thanks to Cindy for reporting this bird!
In other bird news, I didn’t find the Eurasian Wigeon at the park (though I didn’t spend too much time looking). Nor did I find the American Kestrel at the airport (Paul N. saw it earlier in the day), but I didn’t spend too much time there either.
The wind today was pretty warm for this time of year. It was especially noticeable as I walked out of the forest at Totem Park. I think the trees were dense enough to keep the warmer air being blown in from mixing with the cooler air in place.