On a Lifelong Journey to Learn my Place
Animals
Male Anna’s hummingbird photographed around this time last year Today was pretty easily the coldest day so far this winter. Though I was checking fairly often, I never saw the official temperature climb above about 22F. It was breezy out in some areas, though fortunately my neighborhood was in a protected spot. Previously up to … Read more
This winter has continued to remain snow free at low elevations Yesterday I got a report that the Wood Duck was refound along Indian River first thing in the morning. I had a chance to check there a couple of times yesterday and didn’t see it either time. Today I went again and had no … Read more
On a trip to Magic Island last February, I noticed a young gull working on a small sunstar (Pycnopodia helianthoides). It didn’t seem too excited about it, but picked at the legs, and then didn’t seem too excited about eating them. At one point an adult gull came over and checked out what was going … Read more
Song Sparrows are not an uncommon bird around Sitka. Although they are present throughout the year, it’s not clear how many (if any) individuals are actually present year-round. It seems like pretty much any area along the road system with a sufficient amount of brushy vegetation will host at least one Song Sparrow. They are … Read more
This time of year is a good one to see Black Oystercatchers and Northwestern Crows down at the beach during low tides. Although they look very different in good viewing conditions, their similar size and color can make them hard to distinguish when viewed from a distance. At moderate distance in good light it’s still … Read more
Today’s outdoor highlight was getting photos of what sounds like it may be only the second winter record of a Rufous Hummingbird in Alaska (and the first that has made it into the new year). Cindy and Gary have been hosting one for some time, and they were gracious enough to let me come and … Read more