Mostly sunny, though very thin high clouds kept it from being a blue sky day for the most part. Not especially windy, but I did notice a breeze out of the northwest in the morning, but coming from the southeast in the afternoon.
Frost this morning and temperatures in the mid 30s. Warming to a pleasant 50F or so.
I was up early for a call this morning and got to see a colorful sunrise. I didn’t have time to get somewhere more scenic. It was short-lived, so likely wouldn’t have made it even if I had time to try.
A visit to Swan Lake revealed the Redhead, American Coots, and a brief look at the Hooded Merganser as it flew.
I did not expect the Short-billed Gull I saw on the peninsula. Usually I see them on salt water shorelines (and during nesting season, occasionally on larger lakes).
I met Kitty, and we drove out the road.
I was curious about Harbor Mountain Road and drove up to the second gate, which was closed (presumably due to snow at higher elevations).
We stopped to take a walk at Kramer Avenue, but a text from KJ about a Northern Shrike prompted a return to the car.
We did not find the shrike on our walk around Japonski Island. However, we did find a (the?) Black-billed Magpie by the wastewater treatment plant. My photos of it brought me down to only three species I’ve seen but not yet photographed this year.
Downtown I saw two Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the Pioneer Home hedge. I might have heard a warbler fly over, but I’m not sure.
Ultimate this evening was fairly short. We didn’t have the lights, and the sun is now setting before 5:30pm.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
