I woke to a sunny morning with calm conditions. A nice spring day. Although it’s still a bit early for shorebirds, with a relatively low tide (coming up by the time I checked), I thought I would take a walk around the park just in case an early shorebird migrant or two was around. I did not find any shorebirds (other than a dozen oystercatchers), but I did see quite a few ducks that I’ve not been seeing, including over 60 Barrow’s Goldeneye (many more than the 20-30 that have been around throughout the winter) and three Northern Pintails.

I did find a few open blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) flowers in the park, and also noticed a dandelion blooming in front of one of the Sheldon Jackson Campus buildings.

On a related note, Connor noticed a bee flying by later in the day (I’ve not had a good look at one yet, however).

Mt. Edgecumbe seems to have a good blanket of snow, but I imagine it will start showing through pretty quickly when the weather warms up a bit more.

An American Coot continues to hang out in Crescent Harbor – I am not quite sure when it showed up, but I think it’s been there at least a couple of weeks. There are still two at Swan Lake, so I wonder if this one moved over from the Channel, or perhaps came in from somewhere further away.

It was nice to see the fresh snow on all the mountain peaks today. There’s something about fresh snow that is deep enough to smooth out the roughness a bit. Lit by sunlight and backed by blue skies, it’s a striking image, and one we’ve not seen that much this winter.

The gulls seem to have really taken to the ice on Swan Lake. I didn’t try to count carefully, but I’m guessing there were getting to be close to 1000 loafing there. It’s just a short trip over to the Channel where most of their feeding is probably taking place right now.

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Connor, Rowan, and I spent some time down at John Brown’s Beach this morning. I mostly just spent time around the corner from the sandy beach where I could enjoy some sun and have a nice view of Mt. Edgecumbe.

Snow overnight with some scattered snow showers today left the ground covered in an inch or so of snow. Between the snow showers, the sun was actually shining for a good chunk of the day. Was nice to have another day of brightness as we approach the new year.

I did a little birding this afternoon, with the main goal to try and photograph a Lincoln’s Sparrow that has been visiting a feeder since at least late fall.

On a brief stop at Swan Lake, I was interested to see how aggressive the Trumpeter Swan was being with a couple of Mallards that were getting between it and the corn someone was tossing out. The swan would grab the mallard (male in each case) by the neck and swing it around a few times. The ducks seemed to get the idea and leave a little space around the swan. I thought it was funny to see the first year Glaucous Gull fly in and slip into the dense crowd of Mallards to try a bit of the corn. I didn’t get the impression it was much to the gull’s liking, as it didn’t make much effort to go after more.

Across the lake 24 or more Ring-necked Ducks were all gathered up in the open water near the little cove on the west side. This is the best time to observe the ducks, as when the lake is open, they tend to be scattered around and most of them are distant and hard to see very well. When the lake ices over completely they leave – and are rarely observed elsewhere. In the same opening was an American Wigeon – a bird I’ve not noticed lately.

I did get to see the Lincoln’s Sparrow. Wasn’t a great time for getting pictures of it, but did get one shot that was at least recognizable. Might try for a better photo on a future occasion when I have more time and the direction of the sun is a bit better.

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Swan Lake was partially covered in slush from the snow that had fallen overnight and this morning.

Snow squalls and a setting sun made for some soft light over the water and Mt. Edgecumbe this afternoon.

Snow squalls and a setting sun made for some soft light over the water and Mt. Edgecumbe this afternoon.

Snow squalls and a setting sun made for some soft light over the water and Mt. Edgecumbe this afternoon.

It is very unusual for a LIncoln's Sparrow to be found this late in Sitka.

I took a walk down to Totem Park this evening to see what shorebirds were in.

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Shorebirds flying along the beach at Totem Park.

Shorebirds flying along the beach at Totem Park.

Greater Yellowlegs with Short-billed Dowitchers at Totem Park.

The view from Totem Park with some soft evening light filtered through clouds and fog.

Pictures from a couple of different trips to and through Totem Park.

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Connor and Rowan spotted this Stonefly when we were walking through the park.

Mt. Edgecumbe is due west from downtown. Just a few days after spring equinox, the sun is low enough to be behind Mt. Edgecumbe, but ultimately sets to the north of west.

Mt. Edgecumbe is due west from downtown. Just a few days after spring equinox, the sun is low enough to be behind Mt. Edgecumbe, but ultimately sets to the north of west.

Mt. Edgecumbe is due west from downtown. Just a few days after spring equinox, the sun is low enough to be behind Mt. Edgecumbe, but ultimately sets to the north of west.

The kids and I walked down to Crescent Harbor this morning to see the unusual currents flowing in and out of the harbor mouth as a series of small tsunamis reached the shore. The largest water level change I noted was probably about a bit over 1 foot, but it was an impressive amount of water to move in the few minutes it took for the water level to change.

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Unusual currents were flowing in and out of Crescent Harbor every few minutes due to small tsunamis from the large earthquake in Japan.

Unusual currents were flowing in and out of Crescent Harbor every few minutes due to small tsunamis from the large earthquake in Japan.

Unusual currents were flowing in and out of Crescent Harbor every few minutes due to small tsunamis from the large earthquake in Japan.

Unusual currents were flowing in and out of Crescent Harbor every few minutes due to small tsunamis from the large earthquake in Japan.

Unusual currents were flowing in and out of Crescent Harbor every few minutes due to small tsunamis from the large earthquake in Japan.

Walked over to the new house this morning and then made a trip to SeaMart this afternoon, but other than that was in doors. Heavy overcast prevailed, though the wind was primarily out of the east – I was blown right along while walking down Sawmill Creek Road from Jeff Davis Street. I thought the texture of the clouds was interesting in the pictures I took from the SeaMart parking lot this afternoon.

Heavy overcast prevails over Sitka Sound in this view of Mt. Edgecumbe from the SeaMart parking lot.

Heavy overcast prevails over Sitka Sound in this view of Mt. Edgecumbe from the SeaMart parking lot.

Heavy overcast prevails over Sitka Sound in this view of Mt. Edgecumbe from the SeaMart parking lot.

Not much time spent outside today – just walking over to the house and back this morning, then over to UAS in the afternoon. Winds were starting to pick up this afternoon with a few white caps pushing past the bridge into the channel. Temperatures were around freezing, significantly warmer than they had been previously.

While headed out this afternoon I noticed a fairly distinctive call that the kids and I had heard previously a week or so ago. At the time we didn’t get a definitive look at the bird, but I was pretty sure a Northwestern Crow was the source. Today I was able to see 4 or more crows up in a tree where the call was coming from. I suspect the call is related to courtship, but I’m not sure. It’s somewhat reminiscent of a cat meowing – perhaps it could be written as “mrow-row” with the “ow” sounding like in ‘now’ rather than ‘know’.

Still a few sapsuckers hanging around the neighborhoods – probably also down in the park, but I didn’t get down there to check.

Made a brief trip out the road today. Highlights include 4 Trumpeter Swans swimming up to the river’s edge at Starrigavan to see if we had any handouts. Also noticed 5 or more Gadwall – a fairly high number for Sitka in any season, but especially winter.

The view from Sea Mart’s parking lot can be pretty stunning – though it was fairly muted today. I suspect most people primarily think of the view to the west out over the sound with Mt. Edgecumbe rising above the lowlands of a distant Kruzof Island. While that is no doubt the more striking view, a look inland reveals Harbor Mountain looming above in a view that isn’t too shabby either.

This evening I took a photo of one of the moths we accumulated last summer/fall.

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Thinking there might be handouts, Trumpeter Swans approach fairly close.

Thinking there might be handouts, Trumpeter Swans approach fairly close.

Mt. Edgecumbe seen from Sea Mart parking lot.

Mt. Edgecumbe seen from Sea Mart parking lot.

Harbor Mountain seen from Sea Mart Parking lot.

Variable Girdle (Enypia venata) collected Summer 2010.

While walking through town on my way to UAS, I was inspired to take a series of tree silhouette photos. It was interesting to see how distinct they looked, even in silhouette. Of course the colorful sky as a backdrop didn’t hurt.

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One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

Pink clouds color the sky behind O'Connell Bridge with Mt. Edgecumbe in the distance.

Colorful winter sunset observed from O'Connell Bridge.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

One of a series of tree silhouettes to illustrate differences in growth paterns between species.

Colorful winter sunset observed from O'Connell Bridge.

Colorful winter sunset observed from O'Connell Bridge.

Colorful winter sunset observed from O'Connell Bridge.

The kids and I walked a loop from the house down to Lincoln Street around Totem Park, then along the river to Sawmill Creek Road, over to the new house and then back home. We had a nice break in the clouds at the start of our walk, but overall it was generally overcast.

There were quite a few Surfbirds and Black Turnstones on Sage Rock. We also saw a pair of Common Goldeneyes a up the river a little ways. We could see them underwater when they dove. While I was trying to take pictures of the goldeneyes in the river, the kids briefly spotted a mink.

It was a nice view of Mt. Edgecumbe behind Sealing Cove on one of the last trips across the bridge to UAS for the semester.