Overcast and breezy. Rain for a bit this afternoon. Even more brief sunny break this evening.
This morning was the FoodWeb cruise trip fundraiser for Sitka WhaleFest.
Partially obscured by crater rim, Mt. Edgecumbe is less distinctive when viewed from the northwest.
We went out Middle Channel towards Vitskari, over to Inner Point, then up to Kamenoi and off Brent’s Beach, before heading back by going inside Middle Island and through the channel.
Waves were not small on the sound, but the boat was one of Allen Marine’s most stable, so it did not feel as bad as it looked like it should. Fortunately, the clouds were relatively bright and the rain held off, so we had reasonable viewing conditions throughout.
Between the lumpy conditions out on the sound and visiting with folks, I didn’t end up observing too much. Unlike past trips, I was only asked to speak on microphone at the beginning. After that, I and the other guest speakers were available for folks to speak to one on one.
I did see a White-winged Scoter flock as we were headed out past the runway.
There were 11 or so Gray Whales by Inner Point which we spent a half an hour or so watching (though I was mostly talking at the time rather than watching).
I did make sure to take a couple of pictures just so I had something.
Between the relatively early morning for me and the motion on the boat I was feeling pretty tired when I got home.
I relaxed for a bit before heading out.
At Swan Lake I saw two swans, the Wood Duck, and one American Wigeon. A nice flock of scaups were mostly together along the Lake Street side of the lake.
Lone Greater Scaup in the Channel
It amused me to see one lone scaup at the channel. I wondered if it didn’t get the memo.
A Common Goldeneye was right near the ramp.
Gull numbers seemed to be picking up again.
Large enough to hold a skiff with trailer on the wheelhouse, the F/V Ursa Major seemed unaffected by the blustery weather as it headed north
On a stop at Sandy Beach it was windy. It didn’t seem like there was much surf, despite the rough conditions. I wonder if the swell may have been coming from the wrong direction?
Rain did finally come.
I accidentally locked my key in my car while in Sea Mart.
While waiting for Connor a bright spot opened up to south-southwest. Wind had calmed while I was in store as well (there were no more whitecaps).
The sun came out a bit later.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
