Overcast with temperatures in the hanging around 40F. Light to moderate winds.
Snow levels continued to be down to 2000 feet or below. There is snow forecast for sea level in the coming days. Given the temperatures also forecast, it seems unlikely there will be any accumulation. Depending on how much precipitation there is, it may result in decent amounts at elevation, however.
The internet was still fully functional today, so I took advantage of it to catch up on publishing photojournals from the past few days. (Something I couldn’t really do while travelling.)
I walked around the park this afternoon.
At the seawalk, I was surprised the see the catkins opening up on a mystery willow. I have a reminder set to check it, but not until April 1st. I had previously observed the catkins just opening up in mid-April, so the first seemed like plenty of time. It’s been a much milder winter this year, however. I’ll probably try to check it again later in the week to see how much it’s progressed.
I paid more attention to the railings along the sea walk today. The ones on the spur out over the breakwater appeared to have been pressure washed, but others had a nicely developing patchwork of lichens.
I didn’t think of it while I was there, but it could be interesting to do a repeat photography study of parts of the railing. I’m curious how fast they’re growing, but also what happens over the summer when thousands of people are walking by, with some percentage putting their hands on the railing.
On the long stranded drift log where I’ve reliably found the black reflecting cup (Pseudoplectania nigrella), I was only able to find one today.
In the park, an early blueberry was blooming. Back in late January the buds on this plant were already open. I wasn’t sure if it would survive a cold snap, but it seems to have made it through the relatively mild cold we did have in February.
I was a little surprised to see how far along some of the sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza purpurea) plants were along the trail.
Some elderberries were well leafed out as well.
Before heading home I made a short detour to look at the Lobaria on Hillcrest Drive I’ve previously observed. This time I brought some home. It’s probably just an odd L. pulmonaria, but it does look a little different than most I’ve seen.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
