For the First Time in Forever

    December 7th, a Sunday morning where I found myself biking to the Palo Alto Baylands to do some birding. Unlike the vast majority of my trips, however, for this one I had planned to go with two very knowledgeable local humans: Will Brooks (whom I had "met" once before on the pelagic trip) and Rachel Rothberg. It was a great day filled with many interesting conversations, mooching off a Swarovski scope, and, of course, birds.

    We had planned to arrive at 8 am but due to my poor ability to estimate traveling time by bike, I arrived twenty minutes early. Oops. However, no amount of time spent in nature is time wasted and I immediately went to work poking around for anything interesting. 

Western Gull

Morning ducks with the usual Green-winged Teals and Northern Shovelers

    Will and Rachel then arrived and we headed down the trail by the airport. It was a lovely day, with a gentle mist rising and moist ground from the recent rains. We first tried to find the overwintering Swamp Sparrow, but unlike during 11/28, where it cooperatively posed around 10 feet away, giving me amazing looks (of course I didn't have my camera), today the bird decided to not show up or vocalize. Bummer, but the marsh was still filled with activity. Numerous Ridgway's Rails called and the adorable whinnying of a Sora was heard a few times. Neither of these cryptic birds were seen though.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at the channel edge. If only all birds could be this cooperative.

Dew on spiderwebs

I love song sparrows with their cute looks and beautiful patterning. I believe this is the Alameda subspecies (M. melodia pusillula), both because it is the default one found in South Bay saltmarshes and from the apparent yellowish wash on the flanks.

    Following reaching the San Francisquito Creek delta, we turned back, walking by the mud flats and Duck Pond towards Byxbee Park. 

Canvasback exhibiting great flexibility.

Actual very socially-acceptable conversation that occurred: 

Will: "I wish we could go further into the water treatment plant to get better looks at the gulls."           Rachel and me (synchronously): "Yeah"

Those red eyes are quite stunning.

Lone Semipalmated Plover. During my 11/28 trip mentioned earlier, I saw at least 60 of these birds on this mudflat, a fairly high number for the area. Interesting how this individual shows what looks like an extensive white rump.

One of the many photogenic pigeons by Duck Pond.

The stunning iridescence is always a nice sight.

Our closest star. It was interesting how the fog was present at 8, burned off in the morning sun, then began to return at 9:30 ish.

There were plenty of interesting fungi growing in the area, growth spurred by the moisture. This beautiful speckled ink cap of some sort (Coprinellus flocculosus?) was amazing. 

As was this bizarre wonder. Looks like Coprinus / Coprinopsis sp. Mushrooms are so much fun.

Such intricacies in a small organism. Nature never fails to impress.

Psilocybe cyanescens I think or probs some other Psilocybe sp. The genus name comes from the fact that many of these 'shrooms contain psychedelic compounds like Psilocin.

Partially leucistic Canada Goose. Unfortunately the goose flock at Byxbee Park did not yield any other species.

Nomophila nearctica - the lucerne moth

Dowitcher flock that flew overhead as we crossed a hill in Byxbee Park

Really orange House Finch.

The Fab Hummingbird Model

Make 'em wait for it, then...

BAM

    At this point, it was almost 11 and I had agreed with my parents that I would go back at 10. Oops, again. So I bid farewell to Will and Rachel and rushed away on my bike. And that was the 7th of December in a nutshell. It was a pleasure birding with others around my age from the area and I look forward to the next opportunity! Until next time, enjoy life and love nature!