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| One of the Murphy Twins, Waiting Out the Wind |
Had a dentist appointment this morning so only went out for a short bike ride. The threat of rain almost made me sit this one out, but I do like to experience a little inclement weather once in a while. Lucky for me, I was biking past the Blue Heron Lake boathouse when it started to rain, so I took cover under an awning there, where I was able to view the blue heron nests (which showed little activity).
I was soon joined beneath the awning by a few other folks, but most people walking around paid the rain no mind. No rain jacket, no umbrella, no problem. I kinda love that. However, even a light rain can soak you fast while riding a bike, so I preferred to wait it out.
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| There are a few places in San Francisco where you can find paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), but this was a new spot for me. This is the Balboa Natural Area, where the Say's phoebe used to hang out, although I haven't seen the phoebe here in weeks. (Although Google Maps names this place Balboa Natural Area, there is a park sign calling it Sutro Dunes.) |
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| Pelican numbers were down again from their peak a couple of days ago, but a few are still hanging around. The shape of Seal Rocks makes it easy for birds to perch on the south-facing side, but unfortunately this is also the windward side today. |
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| This is almost certainly one of the two red-tailed hawks who often perch on the nearby Murphy Windmill blades. A dense tree canopy blocks the wind on the perch above, and last June I saw both hawks occupying the perch at the same time. |
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| I stopped at South Lake to check out this great blue heron, but the heron wasn't having any. |
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| It took off right after I snapped the previous photo and flew to the other side of the lake. I followed, and when it saw me it took off again! When did these guys become so camera-shy? Must be something to do with nesting season. |
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| These three amigos were lounging languidly in the shallows of South Lake. |
Some short timelapse sequences from the past two days.
A little video of the red-tail.
View from the Cliff House today.
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