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| Northern Flicker, Oak Woodland in Golden Gate Park |
I was just on the edge of the Oak Woodland and about to cross over to the Fuchsia Dell when a large bird flew up from the ground beneath some oaks into a nearby pine tree. Then I heard the sharp call of a flicker from over in the Dell and got my camera ready, thinking the bird in the nearby tree was probably a flicker as well. But then I saw the one above, the brave one who kept digging despite my presence.
Although it was great to hear the rain falling last night, I was glad to have a fairly sunny morning to do my walk and bike ride. Encountering the flicker was a special gift, but really every day is like Christmas. I know there are lots of people in the city who never go anywhere that doesn't involve getting into a car, who have never even walked around the block they live on, much less explored their own and adjacent neighborhoods. Maybe each of their days is like Christmas in some other way, but I find presents every day on my walks and rides. Then again, I'm pretty easy to please.
A neighbor told me just today that he encountered four coyotes hanging out together -- one of them just lying down in the street -- when he walked home from the Forest Hill Muni station the other night. I envied his encounter and couldn't help thinking I might need to go out in the evenings too, not just the mornings....
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| A nearby squirrel started chirping an alarm call, which got the flicker's attention, but only briefly. |
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| The flicker was digging for something but would often interrupt its pecking to quickly raise its head to steal a glance at its surroundings, giving me a chance to quickly fire off a shot that would show its cheek colors and get a catchlight in its eye. |
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| After the flicker flew away I noticed this pot of golden honey mushrooms nearby... |
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| ...and this smaller, more youthful, clump down by my feet... |
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| ...along the stone steps of the Oak Woodland. |
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| Lots of golden ginkgo around the city these days. |
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