Overcast and warm. Rain late.
Last night when I was out to shuttle a friend from the airport, I was a little surprised to see fog near the lake. I soon noticed there were stars in the sky. After so much rain, I wasn’t really expecting it to clear. I don’t think it lasted long. Temperatures remained warm (though not as warm as the 55F high, which set a record for the date).
Driving out to Sawmill Cove before sunrise this morning, I could see some subtle color in the clouds. Apparently the far side of Baranof Island had enough of a break in the clouds to allow clouds on this side to catch the light of the sun as it emerged over the horizon.
Today’s watching was one of the more comfortable, conditions-wise. Warm temperatures, calm winds, and no rain.
Birds continue to be less abundant in the cove compared to when the project started. However, there is still a good mix of species visiting the cove, even if not all are spending much time there (and aren’t showing up in big numbers).
Today’s highlight species-wise was a Thick-billed Murre. I first saw it when it popped up right beside the dock below where I was sitting with a good-sized fish. It dove and came up nearby several times over a few minutes. The last time I saw it dive, I didn’t see where it came up. I did not notice it again today (not even further out).
A (the?) Humpback Whale came into the bay again today. Fortunately for the project, it didn’t stick around for too long. They had some impact driving to do, and had it stayed where it was hanging out (same place as last Thursday), we would have had to delay the work while it was there. The work crew was on lunch most of the time it was in the bay. We were able to observe it leaving the bay, so fortunately delays were minimal.
I have seen this whale several times over the past two weeks, but have yet to see it show its tail when diving. It’s also often not showing much of a blow/spray when it surfaces to breathe. Both of these make it a little more difficult to spot, especially when observing conditions are less than optimal.
We wrapped up early in the afternoon. I decided I had too much to do to at home, so didn’t go elsewhere. As it turned out, I didn’t end up accomplishing too much at home anyway. I did manage to do a little catching up, at least.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
