Sunny skies. Cool this morning, warming to the mid 50s. The forecast fog did not develop overnight, at least not around town where I could see.
When I stepped outside last night, it was distinctly cooler than it has been so far this fall.
I didn’t notice any frost when I looked out this morning, but I later heard from a couple of folks who said they had seen some early this morning.
Probably one of the juncos banded in 2019
While on a call this morning, I noticed a junco perched outside. I had the impression of a band, so took a picture. I confirmed that it was one banded as part of our banding project. Based on the records I have, it may have been banded in 2015. There are some more recent banding combinations I don’t have, so I’ll have to wait for someone else to check on those to be sure. [update: some of the 2019 banded bird combinations would match what I saw on this one]
I drove up Harbor Mountain late this morning and spent the better part of two hours up there.
It was only as I got out of my car that I realized I had forgotten to bring my binoculars. That wasn’t so helpful, but I didn’t feel like it was worth going back for them.
One of a handful of ravens active in the hour or so that I watched from the mountain
It didn’t end up mattering so much since other than a handful of ravens and a couple of eagles, there didn’t seem to be much around. I did briefly hear Red Crossbills, and saw one Fox Sparrow on my walk down.
The ground was still a bit wet for the most comfortable lounging, but I did enjoy relaxing in the warm sun anyway.
A leafy liverwort, possibly a Bazzania
I noticed a liverwort growing among the small shrubs and mosses where I was sitting. I’m not sure what it is, but I collected some in hopes of getting an identification for it at some point.
There were still plenty of blueberries left on the bushes that I could see along the trail. I ate them as I walked. Most were still good, but I suspect with these clear nights, the temperatures will drop below freezing up there and it won’t be long before the berries are all soft.
As expected for a sunny Sunday, the parking lot had several cars when I arrived and even more as I left.
Three of us showed up for ultimate this evening. It was a very pleasant evening, so even though we didn’t have enough to play, we spent nearly two hours tossing anyway.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
