Mostly sunny, becoming mostly cloudy later in the afternoon. Temperatures into the upper 50s, with moderate winds later in the morning.
Yesterday’s high of 55F broke the record for the date set in 2019 (I didn’t make much note of the warmth at the time).
It looks like today’s high was 59F, breaking the record for the date which was also set in 2019. I made brief mention of it being warm. I was surprised to see that had been my first visit to Cascade Creek dam in many years (I would have guessed I had made that first in a long time visit at least a couple of years earlier.)
This week’s project is getting some papers organized and pulling together all the information I need to file my taxes. I expected to spend a good chunk of the morning at it, but a text from Connor motivated a change of plans.
He had seen two Gray Whales not far off the shore at Sea Mart.
When I first arrived, I saw whales diving much further out, but nothing close. I watched for a few minutes and was just about to leave when I saw two surface much closer.
I managed a few photos before deciding to move on.
Since I was already out and the weather was pleasant, I made it more of an outing. The paperwork could wait.
Downtown I got a quick look at a Savannah Sparrow. The first I’ve seen this year. It flew up into the bushes on Castle Hill before I could get a photo.
I parked along Lincoln Street and walked the seawalk then around the park.
The willow is still just slowly progressing. No flowers that I could see. I did collect more Cacopsylla in case there might be two species.
Herring spawn colored much of Crescent Bay a pale green, including the harbor. I guess those fish I saw last night were preparing to spawn today. (I wonder if herring ever spawn at night – if not, why not?)
I’ve been trying to pay more attention to the color of blueberry flowers this year. Initial observations lead me to think white flowers are associated with more brown branches, and the pink flowers with redder branches. I’ve tended to assume the red branches are due to sun exposure, though I don’t think I’ve specifically tracked that to be sure. It was the case for what I observed today, however.
Salmonberries have started blooming along the seawalk (though not many yet).
I made one last stop at Observatory Street before heading home. I didn’t hear any White-crowned or White-throated Sparrows (which had been reported as possibilities there a few days ago based on what an app said). I did catch a bumblebee resting in a crocus.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
