It’s Still Spring

I know that Memorial Day seems like the beginning of summer.

Foxglove

But summer doesn’t actually start for another month.  So we are still seeing things spring up and out and through.

Salal Flowers

The delicate pink flowers on the Salal shrubs will turn into plump blueberry-like berries.

Those close to the ocean get a light coating of salt on the berries; which makes them especially yummy.

3 bulls – last year’s spikes

These cousins only had spikes last year.  We’ll see how many points they grow this year.

Nice Velvet Dude

This was taken on a different day so it could be one of those in the previous photo for all I know.

River Moss

The moss is getting thick in the Alsea River too.  We’re still not sure if this moss has grown on the branches or if they just caught it at high tide?  It sure seemed to happen quickly.

Osprey Couple at WHS

I hadn’t seen the osprey fishing in our front yard all week.  My theory was that the chicks had hatched.  Based on what we saw today (above), I’m sticking with my theory.

Algae Bloom

The algae bloom makes the water look thick and almost chocolatey – if it weren’t for that slight greenish tint.

Not so inviting for swimming but lots of marine life love it.

And apparently it doesn’t adversely affect the shellfish: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/pages/shellfish_status.aspx

Group C001 is blooming in Sutton Campground

The campgrounds are sprouting tents!

We’ve really had a dry May so we really need the rain we’ve seen this week.  But a break for Memorial Weekend would really be nice.

Yearling Elk Nursing

Some people’s children never grow up.

I’m trying to figure out how she can nurse for a whole year?!

Imaginary Goslings

Don was starting to accuse me of seeing imaginary baby geese at Eckman Lake (on Alsea Bay).

Collared Canada Goose

So I thought it was really sweet of them to hang around so we could photo them today!

And LOOK at the collar on the one out in front!  I’ll have to see if I can find out about that.

I AM the boss of you ’cause I’m your step-grandmother!

I’ve seen this domestic goose amongst the Canada Geese before.  It is too big and doesn’t have the right plumage to be a White-fronted Goose.

Update from US Fish & Wildlife:

I got the scoop on the collared goose.  Although the top of the collar is missing, it is believed to be 244R.  They will still try to confirm the ‘R’ if it is not entirely torn off.

She is a long-time resident of Waldport.  She is 19 years old now and was collared as a gosling at Eckman Lake in 1994.  She was also photographed on the Chinook Winds Golf Course in 2011.  Other reported sightings are right in the Eckman Lake area in 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2007.  So she’s kind of a home-body.

Thanks to my friend Shawn Stephensen, Refuge Wildlife Biologist\US F&W, for researching her for me!  (and for identifying the domestic goose)