Clear and calm. Temperatures freezing overnight and into the 30s today.
I was back at Sawmill Cove early this morning.
Conditions were very different then yesterday. Instead of wind and blowing spray, calm waters prevailed across the entire bay.
It felt chilly before the sun rose over Lucky Chance. Despite the low angle, I could feel its warmth when it was shining.
Many birds spent time in the cove while I was watching. At least 25-30 Pacific Loons, Common Mergansers, Red-necked Grebes, Marbled Murrelets, and a Common Murre or two. They all seemed to be actively foraging. Presumably going after fish.
The male Killer Whale was in the bay again today. I saw it twice, both times along the shoreline down from the mouth of Sawmill Creek. It was moving very slowly when I saw it. It seemed odd to me that it was still in the bay.
The Humpback Whale came into the bay briefly, then left again (total transit time, about an hour).
A harbor seal swam very close to the shoreline right by me. It was doing the thing where they have their eyes in the water and mouth in the air. I assume they’re looking for food, but I’m not sure.
I was originally told we would only be needed for part of the morning. As often happens with these sorts of projects, it went differently. We ended up being out there until close to sunset.
This evening I attended a snack potluck. Some of the folks had been travelling in disparate places, and brought snacks from those regions (or from immigrants who had communities in the regions where they visit). There was diverse array of snacks I had never heard of. Some that I tried, I liked more than others. Some I didn’t try at all (especially the ones I expected to be quite salty).
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
