New-to-me 2009 Forester. I am noticing that immediately after startup, it wants to idle around 1100-1200rpm. If I lightly press the throttle and release, it settles down closer to 700-800 and stays there for the most part. Is this an abnormality, or some kind of tactic to warm the engine faster on a cold start? Thoughts?

My 2002 Forester 5MT does the same, and has since it was new.

I think that it's normal.

yes, it is normal for it to do that. The idle will drop on its own as it warms up.

Every Subaru I have owned has done this.