Overcast through much of the day. Clearing beginning later in the afternoon and into the evening. Calm winds, temperatures in the 40s.
Several days of elevated snow levels have resulted in large bare spots on the mountain peaks. Today I noticed a light dusting of snow on the top of Mount Edgecumbe, so it dropped back down a little, at least.
With no observing work today, I was able to catch up on some of the stuff I’ve been needing to do.
I headed out after lunch. I decided to go by Sawmill Cove and check on the progress. They have welded the caps on the pilings that were last driven, but still hadn’t started putting the platforms on them. I learned later that they will be continuing to work on that tomorrow, and won’t start pile driving again until Monday.
I drove to Herring Cove, then stopped on the way back to look at some bryophytes on a roadside rock outcrop. I only picked up 4, and might try to look at them tomorrow (since I didn’t get to them today). I still have dozens of liverworts in containers waiting to be looked at, and maybe hundreds of mosses in bags.
I went out to Sandy Beach to take a look. With the sun emerging from behind the clouds, I decided to stay out to watch it drop below the lower layer of clouds. I have seen green flashes as it disappeared between clouds, but not today.
Rowan messaged me this evening that she had seen a bird that flew kind of like a bat while walking by Eagle Way. It was likely a storm-petrel. I haven’t seen a storm-petrel this year. Though it seemed slim chances to get a look, I made an effort anyway. It was darker there than I expected, and I didn’t stay long. I watched by the work float for a few minutes and then by Sea Mart for longer.
Though I didn’t spot a storm-petrel, watching the setting moon motivated me to stick it out longer than I would have otherwise. I took many pictures, but don’t think I’ll be able to pull out what I was seeing. The moon was too bright for the camera to capture detail in it and the fog and silhouetted islands at the same time. I spent some time looking through binoculars to get the best view of it.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
