Spring-like

Rain fell early, then it was mostly cloudy - an early taste of March with afternoon temperature getting up to 65°, but windy.  The bird-watching definitely made up for the last two days.  A pelican perched on our dock and I noticed its breeding color had started to come in: yellowish head, dark neck.  Three turtles climbed out to enjoy the warm air, even without sunshine.  

The dark masked butterbutt got a little suet before the boss chased it away.  The female pileated woodpecker paid the suet several visits.  I also saw downy and red bellied woodpeckers.  A brown thrasher and a mockingbird wanted barkbutter balls but the brown thrasher was more persistent.  Bluebirds were regulars at the barkbutter cup.  I think one of them was from last year's hatching.  

There were occasional patches of blue sky and moments of sunlight in the afternoon, but it was more often overcast.  The full moon spring tide was very low.  A couple of doves walked around for a while.  Blue jays lurked and raided the barkbutter balls.  The brown headed nuthatch grabbed a seed.  The first towhee I've seen in a long time scuttled around the patio.  It was a male.