Immature Herring Gull (or possibly a Cook Inlet Gull hybrid)
Mostly sunny with temperatures into the upper 50s after overnight lows in the mid 40s.
I went for a walk around town this afternoon to enjoy the sun with some hope of turning up a wandering vagrant bird (a Tropical Kingbird showed up in Ketchikan yesterday – so it’s the season for it).
Originally I set out for Swan Lake, but ended up taking a side trip to the cemetery.
The warm sun was too inviting to go without stopping. I found a spot to sit back and relax facing the sun with my eyes closed.
I heard a few birds while I was there. Of most interest to me were a couple of Anna’s Hummingbirds (sort of) singing back and forth.
Song Sparrow along Lake Street
A Song Sparrow popped up to take a look at me as I walked along the lake shore, but overall things were pretty quiet.
I walked up Erler to cut down to Katlian Street.
Along Kaagwaantaan I stopped and chatted with someone near the plum tree. It has quite a crop of fruit, though most of it is not quite ripe. I remain tempted to dig up a bit of it (it’s formed a bit of a thicket by spreading under ground) to plant in my yard. I’m not sure what time of year is best for that, though.
With the top of Castle Hill to myself, I took another break to enjoy the sun. It never feels more like a gift to me than this time of year. It’s something about being a typically wet season with darkness already quickly encroaching. Temperatures are cooler. The sun is still high enough to deliver warmth, but low enough that the light is a bit softer and a touch more golden. I think there are times in later winter that probably match the feeling, but don’t exceed it.
I wasn’t feeling ambitious enough to walk through the park, so I headed home from Castle Hill.
I did check out the turnaround briefly later in the afternoon. I had gone to the store to pick up some pots. I need them for plants that I’ve started from cuttings of house plants that have outgrown their containers.
Jupiter has been bright in the sky when clouds haven't blocked it from view
They finished paving the main road after dark last night. Today they were busy with the sidewalks on the south side of the road (mostly asphalt rather than concrete). They have my driveway prepped for paving, but haven’t done it yet. It will be nice when they get it done. Hearing heavy machinery active first thing in the morning isn’t my favorite.
My knees felt a little stiff/sore today. I suspect it was from being on my feet for over two hours yesterday without a whole lot of movement while playing catch.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
