Photos from some time spent down at Sage Beach today.
Gulls
Gulls Return
The long-line season opens in March. Fish deliveries to the processing plants start soon after, attracting gulls that have started gathering for herring season to the slurry of waste that is pumped into the Channel.
Clearing and Cooling
Today ended up being a bit more full than I planned, as it took longer to get stuff ready for my dad’s arrival in town this evening. I was able to walk over to the bridge after class and catch the sunset, which was nice. Temperatures were cooler today, but the forecast is for even colder tonight and tomorrow. Winds were minor on the ground, though I noticed the wind turbine going at a moderate pace, so there was apparently at least some breeze aloft (strangely, I don’t recall noticing it much when I was upon the bridge). I took additional note of the patterns of snow on the trees covering the mountains and hills around town. I plan to write a post about my observations later this week.
On my walk I saw a Red-breasted Merganser in the Channel. Their were lots of them in the bays south of town during the Christmas Bird Count, but for some reason they’ve been mostly absent along the road system this winter. It was also interesting that I noticed the smell of seaweed and whatever else goes into the mix to create the fairly distinct low tide smell. (Interesting because I hadn’t noticed it yesterday when I was trying to pay more attention.) Several gulls seemed to be taking advantage of the low water levels to try and find food along the shoreline. I didn’t have enough time to watch and see if they were finding any success. I imagine at other times of year, they wouldn’t even bother, but from now until the herring run is probably the most difficult time of the year for them food-wise.
Herring Spawn Under O’Connell Bridge
Herring were spawning under O’Connell bridge today and I grabbed some photos on my way over. Later this evening I was out by Pioneer Park and took some pictures of gulls gathered out there for the spawning that took place along those shores.
Sea Mart Sea Otter
Early in January I noticed a Sea Otter feeding in the kelp patch right off the Sea Mart Parking lot. The juvenile gull pictured here followed it around pretty closely, presumably hoping to grab a scrap or two from what the otter was eating. Unfortunately, the light and distance were such that I could not … Read more
WR: Night Twenty-three
Another stormy night with lots of wind and rain through much of the night, especially the very early morning hours. Mystery Call: This is almost certainly a gull. I am not sure which species, though. My best guess would be a Mew Gull or maybe a Thayer’s Gull. I do not know what it was … Read more