The male bufflehead was feeding actively just off shore. It would dive for 15 or 20 seconds before surfacing for a few seconds. The male gradually moved along the edge of the tree reflections and the pattern was intriquing. (G. Thomas Bancroft)

This was the first morning in four days that we did not have thick fog in Seattle.  I headed up to Green Lake to see what was happening.  A Bufflehead male was actively feeding adjacent to a wonderful reflection of trees.  The reflection of the bird and the trees was an interesting contrast.  Along the west side of the lake is a fringe of cattails.  The seed stalks from last year are still standing and the seeds are beginning to flack off the stocks.  It is an interesting design against the water background.  I did not see any new growth starting but I am guessing it will be soon.  The Red-winged Blackbirds at least think spring is just around the corner.  I heard several males in the tops of trees giving partial territorial songs.   The males were together in the trees so they have not become territorial yet.  In a few weeks they will be defending sections of the cattails and trying to attract females.

The red alders still have seed cones present from last year and the new catkins are beginning to develop.    Fresh leaf buds are beginning to swell along some of the branches.  Other branches had not shown any signs of new leaves.

I will check to see when the leaves start to open.  A good sign that spring might be coming.

The red alders are forming catkins and buds are beginning to swell. (G. Thomas Bancroft)

The seeds had already dropped from the alder’s pod and they looked just like minuature pine cones. (G. Thomas Bancroft)