Walking San Francisco Bay

Redwood Shores - Jan. 21, '12

2012-02-08T22:24:00.002-08:00

Walking Distance: 2 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 0 min. (4:58 - 5:58 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Redwood City Public Library (Redwood Shores branch), public parking lot; Redwood Shores/City, CA

I returned to the Redwood Shores area late in the afternoon to take a second walk. I picked up trail behind the Redwood Shores branch of the public library. From there I headed walked southish along the water on primarily paved (asphalt) sections of trail and sidewalks. When I reached Oracle headquarters, the trail took me around and behind the campus. I passed the Oracle Bridge (leading over to Belmont/Foster City).

The high tide this morning had receded, leaving mud flats in its wake. The dozens of Canada geese I saw nibbling on lawns didn't seem to mind.

At the light on Oracle Parkway, I crossed over to Oracle HQ driveway, and walked along, parallel to, the large body of water with a large fountain and an official BMW Oracle racing sailboat -- all part of Oracle headquarters.

I crossed Marine Parkway and walked down Twin Dolphin Dr. to Hotel Sofitel, where I'd left off on a previous walk. The hotel (and Bay bar) offer a great view of the lagoon, if you want to stop to have a drink or a bite to eat. I turned around here, and I headed back, walking back on Marine Parkway. I eventually crossed the street to walk northwestish on Bridge Parkway, back to the Library.

Wildlife Sightings:
139 Canada geese; 76 crows; 14 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 sea gull; 108 ducks; 1 rabbit; 3 UFO grebes/divers; 3 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 1 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs)

Redwood Shores - Jan. 21, '12

2012-02-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.4 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 6 min. (9:34 - 10:40 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Redwood City Public Library (Redwood Shores branch), public parking lot; Redwood Shores/City, CA

In between light rain showers, I walked NE on the trail behind the Redwood Shores branch of the public library. I passed a few different industrial parks (on the right side) of this mostly paved (asphalt) trail; the bay/Belmont Slough stretched out to the left/north side. The blue-aqua windows of the Oracle headquarters were visible in the distance (to the west) for most of this walk.

I passed a fork in the trail, and took the paved path to the right. Across the slough to the north was Foster City. After the industrial buildings thinned out, I passed a few new housing developments, and a lagoon. Eventually I reached Preserve Park, where I'd left off on a previous walk; and I turned around to walk back. Two years ago, when I passed this spot, I believe this area was still under construction. The Bay Trail and shoreline continues to evolve.

I walked out to a path toward the water. The tide was high, with some fences being half submerged.

On the way back, I took the paved dirt portion of the trail that forked off toward the water. It was a bit muddy in spots, but not difficult to navigate. The air was fresh after the rain, and the sun was out.

The highlight of this walk came when I was almost back to the library. A small child was running toward me yelling -- "It's going away! It's going away!" I turned around and realized that this little boy was literally chasing a rainbow (behind me). And his two younger siblings were huffing and puffing some distance behind him, struggling to keep up. Further down the trail, a small boy was tentatively jumping into a small puddle, testing out a small pair of rainboots.

Before returning to my car in the library parking lot, I ventured inside the library, where I discovered the Sea Link Cafe -- a great place to stop for a tea/coffee/bite to eat.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 hummingbird; 6 snowy egrets, 4 great egrets; 109 ducks; 4 Canada geese; 13 little brown jobs (LBJs); 4 sea gulls; 3 crows; 2 great blue herons; 1 ball; 1 unidentified flying bug; 1 UFO grebe/diver; 28 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs)

Preserve Park - Jan. 15, 2011

2012-01-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: .9 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 26 min. (12:59 - 1:25 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Preserve Park, Redwood Shores, Redwood City, CA

A few weeks of warm weather lulled me into thinking I'd become hardy, and immune to winter's chill. But, today it was blustery, cold and overcast, and I realized I'd just been spoiled by all the warm sun.

I walked briskly, with my hands in my pockets to keep warm, from the parking lot in Preserve Park, to the trail, and turned right. The two other walkers I saw were bundled up in hooded, down coats. It's definitely winter now. I walked across this fairly drab terrain along a paved (asphalt) path.

This whole area (including Preserve Park) was the result of recent re-grading and new construction that was not completed the last time I walked through this area two years ago. From what I can remember, the trail has been curtailed a bit (probably to wall off some habitat, perhaps to protect some endangered species like the California Clapper Rail and Salt Harvest Mouse), but the new paved trail is probably more accessible to bikes, wheelchairs, and other types of traffic.

I walked roughly in a loop -- out to trail, following the asphalt trail to the point/intersection where I left off last night. Instead of walking back on Bay Trail (same way I'd come); I walked on Public Access sidewalk then turned right, walked along Shearwater Parkway, past the front of Redwood Shores Elementary School, to Preserve Park, where my car was parked. I'm not sure whether The Bay Trail Map snapshot shown really reflects the current trail exactly, or whether this map was done before construction was completed.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 coots; 50 ducks; 3 great egrets, 7 snowy egrets; 2 turkey vultures; 5 sea gulls; 6 little brown jobs; 2 black-necked stilts; 1 crow.

Redwood Shores/Radio Rd. - Jan. 14, '12

2012-01-15T22:13:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.8 miles
Walking Time: 1 hrs., 15 min. (5:13 - 6:28 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking, near Shore Dogs Park, Redwood Shores, Redwood City, CA

I had some time this evening, so I picked up where I'd left off on an earlier walk this morning. I started at Shore Dogs Park, as the sun was starting to slip below the horizon. I walked past the entrance to Shore Dogs Park out to end of the packed dirt path leading to the levee trail (Bay Trail), and turned left toward the Wastewater Treatment Plant -- where a small flame was rising (burning off surplus methane gas perhaps?).

At the end of this path at Redwood Point, there was a closed gate, announcing this habitat restoration area was closed to the public. The path/area beyond this gate is shown as a gray dotted line on the Bay Trail map.

I returned to Radio Road, and walked northwest on this road past the large duck pond that was chock full of ducks and other birds -- and was filling up with Canada geese who were flying in and landing, presumably to spend the night -- to an old transmission tower and radio station. The radio station is now a church. Then I walked then out to the end of a spur trail (not shown on map) -- to the end of a wood observation platform and back.

I continued northwest crossed a small bridge, turning right, toward the Bay, and began a loop (shown as a red line on map) around a housing tract -- pausing to walk out to the end of two more wooden platform extensions/viewing areas with interpretive signs -- which I couldn't really see in the dark. Eventually I came to a paved (asphalt) section that forked off in another direction. (I'll check this out tomorrow.)

I kept heading around the loop on the map, south and then southeast along a paved (asphalt) path with arrows, until I crossed Redwood Shores Parkway, where I headed back to Radio Road.

I was hoping to stop at The Bay Leaf Cafe (part of a larger building), but it was closed, so I did not have a chance to stop there to eat. However, there were two rabbits grazing on the lawn nearby, that ringed this set of office/commercial buildings (The Pointe at Redwood Shores).

Wildlife Sightings:
80 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), flying in mixed flocks near the water; 20 little brown jobs (LBJs); 3 great egrets; 80 American avocets; 56 Canada geese; 93 ducks (mallards, canvasbacks, others); 5 coots; 2 rabbits (nibbling on lawn); 1 cat (feral, tortoiseshell) near waste treatment plant; 2 mosquitos(?).

Redwood City Shore Dogs Pk. - Jan. 14, '12

2012-01-15T21:21:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 4 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 14 min. (10:31 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking, end of Spar Drive, Redwood Shores, CA

From the end of Spar Drive (cul-de-sac), we climbed up a short dirt rise, up onto the wide, packed dirt/gravel section of the Bay Trail (shown as a red line on Bay Trail map), headed northwest. We passed Mariner Park, and a few other smaller parks along the way.

Thank you to Julie for joining me on this walk today. Sometimes it's fun to just walk and watch what's unfolding around you. We spotted a white cat dozing in the sun near some homes on the left/north side of the trail. It politely ignored us when we called out to say hello.

We watched a group of little brown birds hopping around -- little "dumplings" with legs and beaks.

Out in the slough/bay there were a few kayakers, and a smattering of American Avocets moving their long curved beaks side-to-side through the mud, along with other shorebirds. We eventually reached Shore Dogs Park (where there was parking available); a bit further on was the Wastewater Treatment plant at the end of Redwood Point.

Shore Dogs Park had separate fenced in areas for smaller and larger dogs. (Dogs were allowed on certain sections of the trail we walked today, but only on-leash, primarily to prevent dogs from going after bird and wildlife nearby.)

Across Radio Road from the dog park, was a large pond that was teeming with birds of all sorts, mostly mallards and canvasbacks and other types of ducks we couldn't identify. Good place for them to hide during duck hunting season.

The first half of January this year has been marked by warm, dry, sunny weather, like today. Great for walking, but rain may be on the way by next week.

Wildlife Sightings:
8 starlings; 34 American avocets; 44 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 17 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 hawk; 2 great blue herons; 1 mockingbird; 4 hummingbirds; 44 ducks (mallards, canvasbacks, other); 6 crows; 1 white (domestic) cat; 1 snowy egret; 6 turkey vultures; 15 sea gulls; 1 black-necked stilt

Redwood Shores - Jan. 8, '12

2012-01-08T23:07:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.4 mi. (estim.)

Walking Time: 1 hrs., 53 min. (2:23 - 4:03 p.m.)

Start and End Point: Parking lot, at SW end of Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood Shores, CA

Another beautiful, sunny winter day; we haven't had much rain yet this month. I started this walk near the edge of the San Carlos Airport. I walked over small cement bridge toward the Marriott TownPlace Suites. On the bay side of the Marriott I found the paved (asphalt) trail, and walked east, then northeast (trail shown as a red line on the Bay Trail map) along the shore (Steinberger Slough).

I stopped briefly to talk with some kayakers who were bringing up their kayaks up to shore, and then kept walking through a short section hemmed in by wild fennel plants, before enjoying more sweeping views again.

At one point, there was a large body of water on the left and the Bay on the right, making for good bird watching. I could actually hear all the different birds poking around in the mud, presumably for food.

Eventually the paved trail turned into a packed gravel trail. I turned around near the end of cul-de-sac -- Spar Drive (not visible on map), that joined up with the trail via short gravel path; and I walked back to the intersection of Redwood Shores Parkway and Twin Dolphin Drive.

From here, I headed northwest on Twin Dolphin Dr., past several large office buildings. Bird watching along this stretch is generally limited to crows, Canada geese and little brown jobs (LBJs).

I crossed Shoreline Dr., and walked around the back side of the Hotel Sofitel (which faced the large lagoon shown on map), then around to the hotel's front entrance. I went inside to look around; the interior was modern with a European/French flair. I admired their attractive pastry and chocolate case in the guest shop, and bought a bottle of chilled fruit juice, and some green sencha tea instead. I then walked back (southeast) along Twin Dolphin Dr., back to the car.

Wildlife Sightings:

1 great egret; 87 ducks; 12 little brown jobs (LBJs); 4 sea gulls; 3 kayakers; 10 willets; 47 sandpipers; 74 unidentified brownish shorebirds; 36 American avocets; 2 UFO grebes/divers; 12 crows; 30 coots

Redwood City - Jan. 7, '12

2012-01-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 4.4 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 5 min. (3:03 - 5:08 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, near Bair Island Marina, Redwood City, CA

I started this afternoon's walk near the Bair Island Marina. From here I strolled northeast on Bair Island Road/Uccelli Boulevard out to Pete's Harbor, founded by Pete Uccelli, in the 1950s. The Waterfront restaurant was closed when I passed by, so I walked out to the end of the marina before turning around to continue north.

I walked back out Uccelli Blvd./Bair Island Rd. and turned right onto the mostly packed dirt trail that headed northwest (shown as a solid gold line on the Bay Trail Map).

This trail ended near Whipple Ave. and East Bayshore Rd., near a sign indicating that Bair Island was (still) closed, and it also marked the beginning of a paved (asphalt) bicycle/pedestrian path (solid red line on the map) at the Bair Island closed gate. I followed this path, which paralleled Highway 101, north toward the San Carlos Airport.

This bike path ended in a Public Shore parking lot (8-10 spaces), near some office buildings (Skyway Blvd.). I walked a very short little packed dirt/gravel path that extended from the parking lot, and then walked back to Bair Island Road.

This time, I turned right/west on Bair Island Rd. (double yellow lines on map), passing a new housing/condo development, to the end of the road -- a round-about that joined with E. Bayshore Rd. Near the round-about I noticed a thin asphalt path that extended south, and went over a foot bridge and headed toward Peninsula Yacht Club/Docktown Marina (this area was shown as a dotted line on Bay Trail map).

So I followed this narrow path and crossed to the other side of the bridge (called the "Bridge to Nowhere" on Google Maps), and then turned around, and walked back on Bair Island Road to my car.

Wildlife Sightings:
50 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 12 sandpipers; 47 ducks (with at least 1 teal); 45 little brown jobs (LBJs); 30 starlings; 4 snowy egrets; 12 sea gulls; 2 pigeons; 2 black-crowned night herons; 2 crows; 2 hawks

Redwood City - Jan. 1, '12

2012-01-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 6 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 38 min. (1:38 - 5:16 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Municipal Marina (Seaport Ct.), Redwood City, CA

Today's walk could be divided into three parts. First, I started in the middle (where the "P" for parking appears on the Bay Trail map is shown at right), and enjoyed the short, paved path along the marina, and past the public fishing pier.

It has been great to re-visit spots from my first walk around the Bay. I was looking forward to having a late lunch or early dinner at Bella by the Bay Italian Seafood Restaurant (off Seaport Court, off Seaport Blvd.). Sadly, the restaurant was closed (I hope just temporarily) for repairs/remodeling due to a burst pipe. I enjoyed stopping to talk with several people in the area instead.

Next, I walked southwest (on the sidewalk along Seaport Blvd.) toward Highway 101. I turned right on Blomquist (shown as double yellow lines on Bay Trail map), which took me to... Malibu Castle. I had to go in. It was a castle, after all. I bought some popcorn and bottled water. I watched children and their parents play electronic games -- and as they won, strips of yellow tickets streamed out of machines -- to be redeemed for prizes. If I'd had more time, I would have stopped and played a few games of Skee-ball. I walked back to Seaport Blvd., and walked toward the Bay. Who needs to be enjoying popcorn inside a dark movie theater when you've got a nice view of the Bay like this?

A large salt pond area on the right/southeast side of the road belongs to Cargill (although there was a souvenir -- a large replica of a Leslie Salt shaker on the property, behind a locked fence). Cargill was the big winner in salt -- in an industry where there once were many other companies. There were what looked to be rusty open, transport containers for moving salt along a set of rails, sitting abandoned -- a sign of what once was.

At the end of Seaport Blvd., was a road that went into Pacific Shores Center -- a modern office park. A series of high rises with curved lines and aqua-colored glass co-existed with a strip of public open space along the shoreline. PDI Dreamworks, responsible for the animated "Shrek" feature films was located here, as were several other technology companies.

It was interesting to walk through this carefully manicured campus on the way to the public shore area. Several people were out walking their dogs and enjoying a New Year's breathe of fresh air. At the end, I had to walk briskly back to my car, as it was getting dark by the time I finished.

Wildlife Sightings:
34 coots; 23 sea gulls; 67 Canada geese; 2 Western/Clarks grebes; 1 seal/sea lion; 1 snowy egret, 1 great egret; 21 tiny sandpipers; 3 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 36 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 doves; 5 ducks; 19 black-necked stilts; 2 killdeer; 4 American avocets; 1 small cloud eye-level gnats; 3 hummingbirds; 1 tree squirrel; 1 rusty screw; 2 crows; 1 cormorant; 4 balls.

Bayfront Park - Dec. 31, '11

2012-01-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.91 mi.
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 9 min. (9:06 - 11:15 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking area (unpaved) in Bayfront Park, Menlo Park, CA

What a great sunny, crisp morning for a walk on this last day of 2011. And thank you to Laura for joining me on this walk and for providing some great conversation. We walked around the perimeter of Bayfront Park and stopped to talk for a bit, and also walked up the small hill toward the center of the park area.

A few years ago, when I ambled around here (on my first walk around SF Bay), I remember seeing a large number of ground squirrels in Bayfront Park. I also remember reading that these squirrels had been exterminated shortly after that (in a somewhat controversial move). And, consistent with that news -- I saw not one this time. The only small creature that was similar was one small brown mouse who darted out onto the packed dirt trail, briefly in front of us, to look for some food, and then disappeared back into the grass. Good thing for the mouse that there were no birds of prey flying overhead.

After we finished our walk in the park, I continued my walk on a paved (asphalt) bicycle/pedestrian path along Bayfront Expressway/Highway 84 heading east toward the Dumbarton Bridge, and shown as a solid red line on the Bay Trail map. Along the way, I enjoyed seeing the strange, bright colors that accompany areas of accumulated salts -- purples and oranges along with the whites and the blues.

I walked as far as the relatively new Facebook corporate headquarters (old Sun Microsystems campus) at the end of Willow Road and Bayfront Expressway/Highway 84, before turning around and heading back to Bayfront Park where I'd left the car.

Lots of interesting ducks and other birds out this time of year (winter). A few ducks even found good perching spots in the water (on submerged tires).

Wildlife Sightings:
2 killdeer; 1 kite (bird); 51 little brown jobs (LBJs); 24 coots; 15 American avocets; 12 black-necked stilts; 1 mouse; 1 whiffle ball; 1 blackbird; 18 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 2 great egrets, 3 snowy egrets; 40 sea gulls; 50 ducks; 6 Canada geese; 2 UFO grebes/divers; 17 pigeons; 7 crows; 1 small cloud of eye-level gnats.

Menlo Park - Dec. 30, '11

2012-01-05T23:35:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.9 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 59 min. (2:05 - 4:04 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking space, west end of Dumbarton Bridge, Menlo Park, CA

I parked at the same parking area that I did a few days ago -- at the foot of the Dumbarton Bridge (Menlo Park side) in an area marked by a "P" on the Bay Trail map. This time I walked southwest on a combined bike path/trail (shown as a solid, red line on the Bay Trail Map), along Highway 84, enjoying views of the new and old Dumbarton Bridges, and American avocets, egrets, little sandpipers, and other birds wading in the shallows of the Bay.

Note: part of the trail on today's walk was close to car and truck traffic that was hurtling forward at a good speed; so, know your route, and plan accordingly.

I turned right when I reached University Avenue -- a short section of trail that was little more than a packed dirt path/shoulder (depicted as red parallel lines on map). I turned around after passing a set of old train tracks. After walking back to Highway 84/Bayfront Expressway, I continued west on an asphalt bike/pedestrian path along Highway 84/Bayfront Expressway to the intersection with Willow Road. I crossed the road at the light, toward what recently became Facebook's corporate headquarters (the old Sun Microsystems campus).

I decided to walk the paved (asphalt) loop trail around the Facebook campus (not part of the Bay Trail, and not shown on the Bay Trail map). I passed a black cat, hunting for food in the grasses by the water. This trail, adorned by pine trees along the way, went out toward the baylands, and came back around to Highway 84/Bayfront Expressway.

I walked through a small public parking lot (10+ spots) at the east end of the Facebook campus (not shown on Bay Trail map), and nearby I crossed Highway 84 at a stoplight/intersection with University Avenue, then walked east, back to the car.

Wildlife Sightings:
33 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 cormorants; 67 sea gulls; 2 great egrets, 1 snowy egret; 63 ducks; 7 coots; 116 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 18 little (sandpipers); 20 black-necked stilts; 1 great blue heron; 90 American Avocets; 2 ground squirrels; 1 black cat (feral); 1 dead wild cat; 10 Canada geese; 1 bumblebee (very slowly ambling along on asphalt trail).

Ravenswood SF2 - Dec. 28, '11

2012-01-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 1.4 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 00 min. (4:24 - 5:24 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking area, west end of Dumbarton Bridge; Menlo Park, CA

I found a place to park -- among the remaining traces and trappings of construction -- at the foot of the Dumbarton Bridge (Menlo Park end). I walked south, past the Cargill keep out signs on one side, along a fairly new, packed dirt, short spur trail (shown as a red line on the Bay Trail map).

I enjoyed scenic views of the Bay to the East, and the Dumbarton Bridge arching up and over, toward the East Bay. And a bit further south was the old Dumbarton bridge, still mostly intact.

Interpretive signs along this trail are yet to be completely installed. But, there were enough signs to get the drift of the work that had been done in the way of habitat restoration in this area, part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

This Ravenswood "SF2" section of trail turned slightly right/west until it came to an end at a closed gate/fence. I then walked back the way I'd come.

From this trail one can spot several man made islands that now serve as nesting grounds for wild birds.

It was a great evening for sunset watching. This area was far enough out into the baylands, so that there were no buildings to block the view.
Golden light that made everything beautiful -- even some weeds highlighted against a board wall. Beautiful light is undeniable.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 great blue heron; 8 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 71 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs) + 20 little sandpipers + 16 willets; 63 ducks; 9 sea gulls; 44 American Avocets; 1 kite (bird) hovering in distance; 2 cormorants; 1 Western/Clarks grebe

Ravenswood, Palo Alto - Dec. 26, '11

2012-01-02T23:48:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.0 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 23 min. (9:40 - 11:03 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Baylands Athletic Center, Palo Alto, CA

Today's walk in the Palo Alto Baylands -- along a combination asphalt and packed dirt trail (shown as a red line on the Bay Trail map) in East Palo Alto/Ravenswood South trail -- was cut short due to a closed section in trail.

There was a slight overlap with a previous walk when I began this walk from the parking lot at the Baylands Athletic Center (at the end of Geng Road, off Embarcadero) and journeyed north to the San Francisquito Creek Trail toward Ravenswood.

I walked northish, following the combined bicycle/pedestrian asphalt trail - over a bridge, passing a golf course to the right/east. As is customary in this area, Canada geese had taken up residence on the course. I continued along a packed dirt/gravel, which narrowed further until this packed dirt path led to a fence with a "closed" sign/gate. The Ravenswood South trail was temporarily closed for construction around Cooley Landing (peninsula). This section was estimated to be re-opened sometime in the summer of 2012.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera; so the only two pictures that I have, of this somewhat drab winter landscape -- on a somewhat hazy day, full of palette grays and browns -- were taken two days before today's walk, when the sun was shining.

Wildlife Sightings:
77 little brown jobs (LBJs); 45 Canada geese; 9 crows; 7 sea gulls; 32 ducks; 13 coots; 2 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 10 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 25 pigeons; 1 black cat (status unclear); 1 hawk (red-tailed?) on tower; 4 black-necked stilts; 1 blue jay; 1 hummingbird

Byxbee Park, Dec. 25, '11

2012-01-02T00:08:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.2 mi. (~2.9 mi. "new" miles)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (3:28 - 4:53 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of the road, near entrance to Byxbee Park, Palo Alto, CA

After a very pleasant Christmas morning, I went walking at Byxbee Park -- a converted former garbage dump (like many bayside parks). Packed dirt trails circled and covered the hills and mounds that were molded into a park-like setting, with sculptural features (primarily in the form of poles sticking up from the hills) at even intervals.

Previously, I had been focusing on these poles on the hill, and I turned right, before I should have, taking the Adobe Creek Loop Trail -- which went out to Renzel Wetlands.

So, this time I was careful to walk further out to the Bay and then Right following the trail closer to Bay - walked SE along packed dirt trail until I reached an interpretive sign titled "Interrelationships" showing the web of relationships in the baylands.

It was a cool, but clear day. The winter landscape had started to look a bit gray, and I found my eye lingering on the few bright bits of color -- such as the small yellow blossom (shown at right).

I walked back same way I'd come, passing several people out for a holiday walk, or bicycle ride, and a very cute little dog in a santa suit out for a walk with its owner. There were a number of shorebirds and ducks in the bay visible from this trail.

Wildlife Sightings:
48 sea gulls; 172 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 willet; 4 black-necked stilts; 173 ducks; 2 killdeer; 30 coots; 6 little brown jobs (LBJs); 4 crows; 1 UFO diver/grebe; 2 hawks/kestrels/falcons; 53 American Avocets; 1 kite (bird); 4 cormorants; 2 white snails

Palo Alto Airport - Dec. 24, 2011

2011-12-29T00:52:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.0 mi. (1.8 = "new" miles)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 12 min. (2:30 - 4:42 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, Palo Alto, CA

Today I was joined by family in town for the holidays. Thanks to mom, sister Lisa and nieces and nephews for accompanying me on the packed dirt portion of this loop trail (shown as red line on the Bay Trail map shown at right).

We walked from the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center, which was located at the end of Embarcadero Road, past the Duck Pond.

We headed (northish) on the packed dirt portion of this trail, around the Palo Alto Airport. We stopped at the point where we were even with the end of the runway and watched small planes take off above us.

I continued to walk around this loop (red line on Bay Trail map), around the golf course to the Baylands Athletic Center, to Geng Rd., to Embarcadero Rd., past the Duck Pond (pictured), and back to the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center parking lot. Some of this loop (along Geng and Embarcadero) I'd actually covered already earlier today. After saying good-bye to family, I decided to visit "Rail Alley" behind the Interpretive Center.

The California Clapper Rail is an endangered bird that lives in very few places around the Bay; and in part because of its rarity and brownish coloring, it can be hard to spot. The clapper rail's relatively loud and distinctive cry/call is what birders are often more familiar with. Sightings are rare.

So, when I walked along the wood plank pier to Rail Alley behind the Interpretive Center, I wasn't expecting much. However, there were two clapper rails mucking about in the mud at low tide, and feeding on -- or at least poking around -- shells/shellfish with their beaks. It was a rare treat to see (and hear) them.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 killdeer; 1 kite; 220 ducks; 45 sea gulls; 58 unidentified brownish birds (UBBs); 10 American Avocets; 3 black-necked stilts; 1 great egret; 28 little brown jobs (LBJs); 4 cormorants; 2 California Clapper Rails

Palo Alto, Geng Rd. - Dec. 24, '11

2011-12-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: .8 miles
Walking Time: 0 hrs., 45 min. (11:35 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Baylands Athletic Center, Palo Alto, CA

On this short segment walk (#2/3 today), I covered a small stretch of paved trail (with sidewalks, and shown as a "red line" trail on Bay Trail map) on Geng Road and Embarcadero Road, in Palo Alto.

From the Baylands Athletic Center parking lot, I headed southeast on Geng Rd., passing a few squirrels and crows, and skirting some orange cones and long stretch of black PVC pipe that took up some of the sidewalk area on Geng. I enjoyed the smell of eucalyptus trees and the sight of brightly colored purple and white kale (cabbage family) being used as landscaping.

When I reached Embarcadero Rd., I crossed the street to Ming's (Chinese Restaurant), and put in a to go order.

While waiting for the food, I walked east on Embarcadero to Faber Place/Palo Alto Tech Center office complex (across the street from the golf course driving range), where I'd stopped walking previously. I turned around here and strolled back to Ming's to pick up my Chinese Chicken Salad for lunch (which was quite good); and walked back to Geng Road to the Baylands Athletic Center parking lot.

Wildlife:
14 crows; 11 little brown jobs (LBJs); 5 Canada geese (on golf course); 3 squirrels; 1 hummingbird; 1 bumblebee; 1 hawk

Palo Alto Baylands - Dec. 24, '11

2011-12-27T23:04:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 55 min. (9:30 - 11:25 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking spots along Terminal Blvd. (end of San Antonio Rd.), Mountain View, CA

Today was my last day in Mountain View. I took my first walk (of three shorter segments) into and around the Palo Alto Baylands, following "red line" trails (on the Bay Trail map).

From Terminal Blvd., I first walked toward Shoreline Park/Lake, and then turned around and walked north, out toward the Bay, then behind Elwell Court.

There were lots of hunkered down ducks, balletic American avocets (without their rust colored throat color in winter), and other birds out this morning. The faint sound of hunters gunfire in the distance is also a little unsettling this time of year (winter is hunting season). I spotted what I thought might have have been some plastic produce bags up into a tree. Nope. They were black-crowned night herons. That was fun to see them, although they were too far away for me to get a good shot of them.

I eventually popped out onto a paved (asphalt) bike and walking trail along East Bayshore, and I walked north along this trail. Marsh grasses and SF Bay to the right, and the sound of the freeway (Highway 101) to the left (beyond E. Bayshore). The licorice-like smell of fresh fennel was in the air. I walked across the first of two small Town and Country wood plank and metal frame bridges, and passed the James Moore sculpture entitled "Bliss in the Moment" -- a metal statue of a bicyclist stopping to take in the bay view.

I also walked by some photovoltaic arrays and, according to an interpretive sign "photovoltaics (PV) converts light energy into electricity, using no moving parts....photons are absorbed by a silicon crystal cell..." I, as a walker, convert chocolate into energy, using several moving parts, and enjoy absorbing photons (sunlight) along the way. Silly to compare the two, but I do like photons -- and seeing solar energy being used by the City of Palo Alto.

I turned around when I reached the point where the Adobe Creek Loop Trail intersected with East Bayshore. If I'd turned right on this trail, toward the Bay, I would have walked approximately 1.9 miles to Byxbee Park. I know this, because I accidentally walked this trail last week.

Wildlife Sightings:
5 cormorants; 32 sea gulls; 44 little brown jobs (LBJs); 33 coots; 59 ducks; 20 American Avocets; 4 black-necked stilts; 43 unidentified brownish shorebirds (5 tiny ones); 2 great egrets, 2 snowy egrets; 4 brown pelicans,10 white pelicans; 1 great blue heron; 7 black-crowned night herons; 1 ball; 9 Canada geese; 3 hummingbirds; 1 killdeer; 9 crows; 2 hawks/falcons

Palo Alto Baylands - Dec. 18, '11

2011-12-18T22:52:00.000-08:00

Walking Distance: 6 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 21 min. (1:24 - 4:45 p.m.)
Start and End Point: public parking lot, Byxbee Park, Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto, CA

Today I covered more of the Palo Alto Baylands (the lower of two) loop trails (shown as red lines on Bay Trail map).

I parked at Byxbee Park -- a hilly, former garbage dump, compost and recycling area (much of it now closed). The sculpted mounds are topped with rows of posts and cement berms arranged in sculptural fashion. The audio component of this experience was provided by small airplanes coming in for a landing at the nearby Palo Alto Airport. I walked around Byxbee Park -- toward the bay and roughly southeast. I had hoped that I'd be able to walk to the point where I left off yesterday; however, this Adobe Creek loop trail led toward Highway 101 and the trail continued along the Bayshore Frontage Road. I walked north on this trail, past the Renzel Wetlands, up to Embarcadero Road.

I crossed Embarcadero (no crosswalk, so look both ways) to walk to the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course. I stopped at the Bay Cafe at the Golf Course for a late lunch (fresh, carved turkey and vegetables).

This time of year it's been getting dark a few minutes before 5 p.m., so by the time I finished lunch, and spent some time at the Palo Alto Duck Pond, and arrived at Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, the sun was setting. But, I made it in time to visit the Center, hear bird calls, look at bird exhibits (including a tiny little sandpiper), and a small aquarium. (They also have a few maps of the area.)

I walked south along the bay to a sailing dock, and came across a pheasant that seemed fairly tame. After that I walked back to the car at Byxbee Park, to make it back at before dark. It was also a record day for ducks -- lots of ducks; there were at least 5 different varieties (mallards, scaups, shovelers, etc.).

Wildlife Sightings:
412 ducks; 68 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 1 Willet; 48 sea gulls; 14 ground squirrels; 48 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 brown pelican; 3 cormorants; 2 pheasants; 1 Western/Clarks grebe; 19 coots; 15 killdeer; 1 hawk/kestrel/falcon; 2 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 6 black-necked stilts; 26 American avocets; 5 crows; 2 kite birds; 5 miscellaneous geese, 1 Canada geese; 10 pigeons

Shoreline Kickoff, Walk #2 - Dec. 17, '11

2011-12-17T23:37:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 4 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 5 min. (10:07 a.m. - 12:12 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Shoreline Park, Mountain View, CA

Today I embarked on my second walk around San Francisco Bay. It was a beautiful, sunny day, a few days away from the start of winter.

I started my walk at the Lakeside Cafe, in Shoreline Park. Thank you

to Javier Rojo for fixing me a decaf cappuccino at the cafe. After that, it was time to grab the camera, break open the logbook and get going.

I walked past the boathouse/dock area on the lake, within view of paddleboats, windsurfing boards, small sailboats, and kayaks: all stacked up and ready to go. And from there I made my way along the paved (asphalt) walk (heading roughly east) to the Bay Trail.

In the distance, to the south were the large hangars at Moffett Field in Sunnyvale and a blimp in the same area.

I stopped to talk with a photographer, Ming W., who showed me a fantastic shot of a harrier she had taken. Part of the fun of walking the trail is to meet other people along the way.

I walked north on the Bay Trail (red line on the Bay Trail map), and crossed my first city boundary -- from Mountain View into the Palo Alto baylands,
passing through the Charleston Slough area.

Due to a prior engagement this afternoon, I had to turn around at the "Interrelationships" interpretive sign/plaque on the packed dirt portion of the trail, in between Shoreline Park in Mountain View and the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center in Palo Alto.

On the way back, when I crossed back over into Shoreline Park, I walked along the lake, back to the Lakeside Cafe, and the adjacent lot where my car was parked.

It was a great day to see lots of different kinds of birds, including
several species of ducks. Given that it was hunting season, and that I could hear the faint sound of guns being fired a few miles off during the walk this morning, I'd say these ducks had picked the right spot
to hang out.

My favorite bird was the sea gull who was trying to carry an overly large shellfish in its beak. A bird after my own heart.

Wildlife Sightings:
38 cormorants; 7 snowy egrets, 5 great egrets; 26 Canada geese; 40 sea gulls; 15 coots; 2 kite birds; 156 ducks; 2 brown pelicans; 5 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 hummingbirds; 1 cute grebe/diver; 2 crows; 5 pigeons; 1 hawk/kestrel/falcon; 88 American avocets; 8 black-necked stilts; 67 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 great blue heron; 2 jackrabbits

1,000 miles - Now what do I do?

2011-12-10T22:50:00.001-08:00

After 1,000 miles of Walking the Bay, what does one do?
I plan to start another revolution around the Bay this month (Dec. '11).
I'm sure there will be more to see, discover next time.
See you on the Bay Trail.

Alameda Creek - Dec. 9, 2011

2011-12-10T21:23:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.8 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 42 min. (3:50 - 5:32 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Alameda Creek Stables Staging Area, Fremont, CA

Today I finished up the last bit of Bay Trail for this go-round. My original goal two years ago was to walk 1,000 miles around SF Bay. However, when I reached the end of my walk around the bay a few months ago, my mileage total was only 997.28 miles. I had come up a few miles short -- because I'd been forced to skip this last section of Alameda Creek trail; it was closed when I walked by here a few months ago. (Thank you to Greg Hilst at the Alameda Public Works Dept. for confirming that this trail reopened last Wednesday.) This evening I walked this segment and finally reached my official 1,000 mile goal -- at last.

From the Alameda Creek Stables Staging Area parking lot ("P" on map), I walked up a slight hill to the top of the levee, and headed east on the north side (unpaved for equestrians) of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail (red line on the north side of the Creek/Channel Bay Trail Map) toward the Union City Boulevard bridge (double yellow lines in Bay Trail map) over the Alameda County Flood Control Channel/Alameda Creek. I walked under this bridge and then back onto (the east side of bridge that has a sidewalk for pedestrians); and I walked across the bridge. I exited left at the end of the bridge, and went under bridge again, back to west side, and walked up to newly re-opened section of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail (red line on map, south side of Creek/Channel).

This sounds complicated, but this is all a fancy way of saying -- don't try crossing this bridge walking on the west side -- as there is no sidewalk/shoulder for pedestrians or bikes, and cars are zipping along this street at a good clip. Note: walkers and bicyclists can also access this trail through Coyote Hills Regional Park.

Once I made it onto the south side of the Alameda Creek trail (paved for bikes and pedestrians), I headed west toward Coyote Hills Regional Park/SF Bay. On the way, I passed the turn-off to the Dust Trail, an unpaved packed dirt trail, good for trail bike riding. I continued to walk west on the newly asphalted trail, until I reached the intersection of Alameda Creek trail and the Bayview Trail (which continued into Coyote Hills park, and/or toward the Bay (offering nice views of the water and Dumbarton Bridge heading over to Menlo Park.

I started this walk in the 90 degree weather. Tonight I ended my walk in considerably cooler weather. The colors and landscape were muted. Tonight today's not-quite winter sun sank at 4:50 p.m. A colorful orange sunset to the west, and a full moon rising in the east. It was a beautiful way to end a 1,000 mile walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
56 Canada geese; 4 pigeons; 3 great blue herons; 5 snowy egrets; 7 great egrets; 2 killdeer; 79 ducks; 1 turkey vulture; 12 little brown jobs (LBJs); 3 kites (birds); 2 hawks/kestrels/falcons; 3 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 10 coots; 9 doves; 9 sea gulls; 2 deer

Guadalupe River Trail - Nov. 27, 2011

2011-11-28T05:53:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.9 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 22 min. (2:09 - 3:31 p.m.)
Start and End Point: San Jose International Airport, Economy (long-term parking) Lot 1; San Jose, CA

Having walked, unintentionally, south on the Guadalupe River Trail (shown as a purple line on Bay Trail map) yesterday, I made sure I headed north this afternoon. I soon crossed under Highway 101, and then the Trimble Rd. underpass. These concrete structures are cool and silent except for the muffled thurrumping of cars passing by above; they have a solemnity similar to stone cathedrals or catacombs.

After getting above ground again, I spotted a few mature walnut trees along a wire fence. I had been smelling green walnuts/walnut trees yesterday and couldn't see any. I grew up climbing three large walnut trees in my parents backyard, so I recognized the pleasant, green nut aroma. Hard to tell whether the plowed field on the other side of the fence (a rare bit of open space in between office parks and technology companies) was once a walnut grove or not. But, it was a fun trip down memory lane.

I kept going until I reached the point where I'd left off previously

(near 2701 Orchard Pkwy, or the back of the building located at this address), with the single basketball hoop in the back. It helps to have an identifiable marker or two to make sure I've arrived at the right place.

Continuing on, I found a little pile of white sea shells on a concrete slope leading up to the freeway. I have no idea how these might have gotten here. Raccoon picnic?

On my way back, I passed by a gaggle of Canada geese, sitting on the trail, and nibbling on fresh green grass at the edge of the top of the embankment that sloped down into the Guadalupe River. I'm fairly certain these were the same geese I saw down by the River when I passed here the first time. Even though they are sandwiched between highway over- and under-passes, the geese had found a reasonably undisturbed area of riverbed to visit.

After this relatively short stroll this afternoon, I took the free San Jose airport shuttle bus over to the new terminal (Terminal B) to take care of an errand I needed to run, and to check in early for a Southwest Airlines flight tomorrow, since I was already at the airport.

The Bay Trail runs by most of the major airports in the Bay Area -- San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK); and, if you walk the Guadalupe River Trail (technically a connector trail to the Bay Trail), then you'll pass San Jose (SJC) as well.

Wildlife Sightings:
35 little brown jobs (LBJs); 12 Canada geese; 10 ducks, 2 cute brownish divers/grebes/ducks?; 15 coots; 1 white butterfly; 3 sea gulls; 4 blue jays; 2 snowy egrets, 1 great egret

Guadalupe River Trail - Nov. 26, 2011

2011-11-28T05:18:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 5.2 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 37 min. (2:07 - 4:44 p.m.)
Start and End Point: San Jose Airport Economy Parking Lot 1; San Jose, CA

This afternoon I had planned to walk the Guadalupe River Trail (shown as purple line on Bay Trail map) from the San Jose airport north -- to the point where I left off a few days ago. I parked in the airport's long-term parking lot (flat daily rate of $15.00), and proceeded to look for the trail, which is adjacent to this large parking lot.

I enjoyed seeing the public art/design piece by Christian Moeller ("Hands") on the side of Terminal B at the airport (which opened last June). This large, black and white high-tech mural looks like a series of hands raised up -- accomplished by working out the design on a computer first I imagine, and then placing hundreds of small white plastic pieces on a very large mesh or screen background/wall. I went under an underpass and popped out the other side, and there the hands were - waving at passerbys.

I should explain why I was seeing this mural...The Guadalupe trail fans out in a few directions at the airport. Instead or going north, I started walking south toward downtown San Jose, down a long stretch of packed dirt and gravel. And, since it was too late by the time I realized I was headed south vs. north, I made the best of it, kept walking, and eventually stopped at the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose, south of the airport. (At this point, the trail continues south, but it is off the edge of the Bay Trail map.) The trail was dirt/gravel, then asphalt, then dirt, then asphalt again. Good for mountain bikes. It was great to stop and smell the roses, literally, before heading back.

Wildlife Sightings:
6 crows; 25 little brown jobs (LBJs); 3 unidentified flying bugs (UFBs); 3 white butterflies; 2 hawks/falcons/kestrels; 1 robin; 1 pillbug; 4 cats (abandoned, now feral); 1 mockingbird; 1 tree squirrel; 2 blue jays; 1 great egret; 11 doves.

Guadalupe Trail - Nov. 24, 2011

2011-11-28T04:09:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 4 min. (4:04 - 5:08 p.m.)
Start and End Point: End of River Oaks Parkway (off N. 1st St.), San Jose, CA

It's always a good day to go walking, but it's even better to walk on holidays like Thanksgiving. After a nice big meal - I enjoyed catching a breathe of fresh air and working off some of the Thanksgiving Day feast. And I felt very thankful to be able to enjoy seeing the leaves turn colors -- bright yellows, reds, oranges, crimson pinks, and greens.

Today my short walk took me from the (red metal) bridge near the end of River Oaks Parkway, to within a mile or two of the San Jose International Airport (SJC).

And I took pictures of colored leaves....lots of pictures of leaves...

However, it was starting to get dark so the lack of light limited how many pictures I could take, and how far I could walk this afternoon. We're in the season of shorter, darker days -- by California standards that is.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 gray and white cat (feral/abandoned); 23 little brown jobs (LBJs); 38 ducks; 16 coots; 2 great egrets, 3 snowy egrets; 9 Canada geese; 1 mockingbird

Guadalupe River - Nov. 19, '11

2011-11-28T02:53:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 6 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 49 min. (10:12 a.m. - 1:01 p.m.)
Start and End Point: (New) Alviso Educational Center (2040 Gold St.) parking lot, Alviso, CA

I'm still waiting for one last segment of Bay Trail to re-open further north (Alameda Creek Trail by Coyote Hills). In the meantime, I am investigating the Guadalupe River Trail (shown as purple line, connector trail on the Bay Trail map). I believe the Guadalupe River starts in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains; it moves through downtown San Jose, past San Jose airport, and eventually runs into the San Francisco Bay at Alviso.

I started walking from the Alviso/north end of this trail. This morning I headed first toward historic Alviso (across the railroad tracks and within sight of Vahl's restaurant and bar), running into where I'd walked the Bay Trail (red and gold lines on map) a few months ago. I then turned around and headed toward San Jose, following a broad, packed dirt/gravel trail, passing a (golf driving range) and crossing under Highway 237 (thicker white line on map).

Note: In case you're walking in wet months (winter/spring), during heavy periods of rain, it might be advisable to check the status of this trail in advance, as there are signs posted warning of possible flooding of the Guadalupe River in lower spots. During other times, the creek bed is home to grasses, trees (with leaves changing colors this time of year), rocks, ducks, egrets, herons, and the occasional feral/abandoned cat further south.

I passed a golf course (which I could see from the other side), and an abandoned red shirt or towel. There are all sorts of lost or left-behind objects on the trail. Each item may have a story to tell.

I walked south until I reached a red metal bridge (near River Oaks), and crossed this bridge so I could walk the other side of the trail on the way back to Alviso. This provided a nice change of scene in this area, where there were multi-dwelling housing developments and a park.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 kites (birds); 1 cloud UFO bugs; 11 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 snowy egrets, 2 great egrets; 29 pigeons; flock of 20 ? birds (blackbirds? LBJs?); 1 turkey vulture; 3 snails; 1 tiny black beetle; 2 tennis balls; 6 white butterflies, 1 orange and blk/brown butterfly; 1 tree squirrel;1 bumblebee; 23 ducks; 12 crows; 7 cormorants; 31 Canada geese; 24 coots; 1 cloud gnats or mosquitos?; 1 dragonfly; 2 robins; 2 great blue herons

Alameda Creek Trail - Nov. 9, '11

2011-11-27T12:07:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 2.2 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 15 min. (4:02 - 5:17 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parked near Beard Staging Area, Fremont, CA - East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD)

I returned to a segment of Alameda Creek Regional Trail that was closed last month. Happily, it was open today. Thank you to the Alameda Public Works Department who let me know it was open again.

From the Beard Staging Area (end of Beard Road), I walked West on (the south side of) Alameda Creek Trail, under Highway 880 underpass, almost as far as the Alvarado overpass -- where fence had marked closed point previously. I turned around and walked back the same way.

The sun was setting, making it difficult to capture photos that weren't dark and blurry. But, can you recognize this gray blur (bottom right) on the rocks? No, it's not the squirrel. It was one or two gray foxes -- perhaps hunting for ground squirrels. The gray foxes I've seen on my Bay Trail walk have been at dusk, in the south-east portion of the San Francisco Bay. I'm sure they also live elsewhere; but I haven't seen any of their Peninsula or North Bay fox cousins (yet).

Wildlife Sightings:
3 fuzzy caterpillars; 2 crows; 1 black and white cat in creek bed/grass (domestic?); 8 starlings; 2 robins; 8 little brown jobs (LBJs)/finches; 27 Canada geese; 7 sea gulls; 1 hawk/falcon; 2 gray foxes

Alameda Creek Trail - Oct. 16, '11

2011-11-26T22:45:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: .25 mi. + 3.2 mi.
Walking Time: 10 min. + 1 hr., 37 min. (9:26 - 11:03 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lots 1.) Beard Staging Area; 2.) Parking lot off Eastin (off Union City Blvd., near intersection w/ Lowry); Fremont, CA

This morning I continued my walk along Alameda Creek Regional Trail (shown as two purple lines on the Bay Trail map -- extending east from the Bay), after a brief false start.

I first parked at the Beard Staging Area (parking lot), at the end of Beard Road; and, after walking up to the trail, I almost immediately ran into a fence and a trail closed sign. A trail/levee repair project was apparently running a few days late. So, I drove further west and re-parked to a location closer to Coyote Hills Regional Park, close to where the official Bay Trail portion (marked with red lines on map) of the Alameda Creek trail is located. This way I could skip over this closed segment, and walk back toward Beard from west to east.

From the East Bay Regional Parks District parking lot (marked with a "P" on map) off Eastin/Union City Boulevard, I walked toward, and then onto, Union City Boulevard (double yellow lines on map), crossing an overpass to the south side of Alameda Creek Trail, and walked east along this paved (asphalt) segment - until I ran into a closed trail sign and fence, marking the west end of this closure. Despite having to turn around, and missing a walk along this short segment, it was still a very nice morning for a walk, punctuated by the honking of low flying Canada geese and the sounds of other birds.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 lizards; 11 pigeons; 9 ducks; 2 great blue herons; 20 white butterflies; 4 fuzzy caterpillars; 1 belted kingfisher; 12 little brown jobs, 2 finches; 33 Canada geese; 3 snowy egrets; 1 dragonfly; 3 blue jays; 2 crows; 3 mockingbirds; 1 turkey vulture; 26 blackbirds/red-winged blackbirds; 1 hawk/kestrel/falcon; 1 true falcon; 17 tiny unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs) (sounded a little like killdeers flying off?); 1 lady bug

Alameda Creek - Isherwood - Oct. 11, '11

2011-11-26T22:00:00.001-08:00

Walking Distance: 3.1 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 42 min. (4:01 - 5:43 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Isherwood Staging Area; East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD); Fremont, CA

From the Isherwood Staging Area, I walked across the overpass/bridge to the south side of the levee trail -- to walk west/northwest on the Alameda Creek Regional Trail (shown as double purple lines on the Bay Trail map).

I walked past the Decoto bridge; and I turned around at the Beard Staging Area/parking lot. I walked back to the Isherwood Staging Area/parking lot the same way. It was nice to have designated parking lots on both ends of today's walk, with a restroom/portable bathrooms.

The signs of a fall day: acorns on the ground; green leaves turning red; lizards on rocks; fuzzy caterpillars; views of Alameda Creek and hills with dried, tawny grass, not yet green after the first rainfall.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 cormorants; 8 lizards; 2 great egrets; 2 snowy egrets; 3 squirrels (2 tree + 1 ground); 68 ducks; 7 white butterflies; 5 coots; 7 fuzzy caterpillars; 4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 7 pigeons; 42 Canada geese; 9 crows; 1 blue jay; 1 great blue heron; 4 turkey vultures (1 on ground, 3 in air)

Alameda Creek - Oct. 9, '11

2011-10-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 35 min. (3:45 - 5:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Isherwood Staging Area, Parking Lot; Fremont, CA

This pleasant fall afternoon I continued my walk along the southern side of Alameda Creek Regional Trail. After following this connector trail (shown in purple lines on the Bay Trail map) into the hills of the Niles district of Fremont, I am now headed west, back toward San Francisco Bay.

Today I had the pleasure of taking this short walk from the Isherwood Staging Area parking lot to east of the Sequoia Bridge with my parents. Thanks mom and dad. We crossed over the Isherwood overpass/bridge to the south side of the Alameda Creek trail and walked east to the Sequoia Bridge, then stood on this bridge to gaze down into the Creek to see if we could spot any fish in the water below. I was able to pick out three large (what I believe were) carp.

From the Sequoia Bridge we walked further east, eventually turning around and walking back (west) to the Isherwood Staging Area/parking lot. On the way we spotted a few riders on horseback on the north side of the trail -- which is an easily navigable, broad, packed dirt trail. The south side of the Creek trail was paved (asphalt).

Acorns were on the ground ready to be harvested or buried by squirrels; and v-shaped squadrons of Canada geese were flying low overhead. Afternoon shadows fell more heavily and quickly than last month, but a few lizards lingered on the rocks lining the Creek banks, soaking up the last rays of sunshine. It felt like fall.

Wildlife:
2 great egrets, 3 snowy egrets; 4 lizards; 6 sea gulls; 20 ducks; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 24 Canada geese; 4 pigeons; 1 tree squirrel; 42 crows; 1 mockingbird; 2 white butterflies, 2 orange and brown/black butterflies; 2 turkey vultures; 1 hawk; 1 dragonfly; 3 big fish (carp?); 1 crab?

Alameda Creek, Niles - Sept. 17, '11

2011-09-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

Walking Distance: 5.9 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 31 min. (1:29 - 4:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Niles Community Park, Niles district of Fremont, CA

Today was a Saturday (a non-work day), which meant I could take a longer walk, during daylight hours. I headed east from Niles Community Park. It was hot in the mid-day sun, but it wasn't quite a "death march" hike. It would have been much more comfortable if I'd remembered to bring some water. I did see a lot more daytime creatures, such as lizards -- some very small -- and a turtle, sunning themselves on rocks.

After walking the Alameda Creek Regional Trail (shown as a pair of solid red lines near the Bay, and a pair of purple lines further east on the Bay Trail map) a few miles at a time for the past month or two, I finally reached the eastern end of this 12-mile Trail -- and walked over the Old Canyon Bridge (built in 1948) from the north to the south side of the trail -- where I walked west on the return trip.

I continued walking a few miles west until I reached the Sequoia Road bridge, where I could cross back over to the north side, and back to Niles Community Park.

The south side of the Alameda Creek Trail was paved (asphalt), whereas large sections of the north side trail were packed dirt. Both are fairly wide, with plenty of room for shared use. Equestrians are encouraged to ride on the north side; however, I saw no sign of horses or horse traffic while I was walking this past week.

There were interesting things to see along the way, including the usual birds (ducks, cormorants, egrets, etc.) a green heron, a turtle, and several large fish (carp?) in Alameda Creek, visible from 40 feet from the trail. These fish were big enough (2 feet long I'm guessing) that I doubt birds fishing along the shore would pick a fight with these guys.

And there were also model mariners races going on in an adjacent pond/lake. All in all, an interesting day for a walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 great egrets, 2 snowy egrets; 17 lizards (including 3 tiny ones); 44 ducks; 6 cormorants; 7 orange and brown/black butterflies, 5 white butterflies; 12 black-necked stilts; 5 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 3 blue jays; 17 Canada geese; 4 tree squirrels and 3 ground squirrels; 2 grebes/divers; 6 pigeons; 11 dragonflies; 7 coots; 1 turtle; 1 snail; 11 white pelicans; 5 turkey vultures; 4 sea gulls; 5 crows; ~20 large fish (carp?) in water

Alameda Creek, cont. Sept. 16, '11

2011-09-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.9 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 3 min. (4:40 - 6:43 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Isherwood Staging Area (off Isherwood Way), Alameda Creek Regional Trail, East Bay Parks Rec. Dept. (EBPRD), Fremont, CA

The walk up/east toward the headwaters of Alameda Creek continued this evening. I walked on the north side of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail, on a (primarily) packed dirt levee path from the Isherwood Staging Area public parking lot up to Niles Community Park (in the Niles district of Fremont) -- where there was a field of small children suited up and practicing football before dark.

Most of this trail is shown as a pair of purple lines (connector trail) on the Bay Trail Map.

After walking east from the Isherwood Way Staging area, and passing relatively near a few houses, the terrain became a bit more undeveloped. Trees, including pepper trees (pink peppercorns), provided intermittent shade.

This was a pleasant, evening walk, with a fair number of dog walkers, bicyclists, walkers and joggers. There were also scenic views of the Quarry Lakes along the way. Although separated from some of these lakes by a wire fence, there was an opportunity to go through a few gates to take a closer look -- and walk parallel to the Bay Trail on a packed dirt path -- for at least a half mile.

There was a steady smattering of birds, especially in the Alameda Creek Channel. In one section of the trail, a large number of turkey vultures circled overhead. A group of vultures group is called a venue, committee, wake, or -- if circling in the air, a kettle.

Regardless of what you call them, I feel a bit uneasy when I see them circling -- knowing they may be closing in on a carcass with their ultra-developed sense of smell. Fortunately, for me, all I could smell was the smell of some hickory smoke and a barbecue wafting over from a cook-out.

Out on the gravel islands in one of the Quarry Lakes, there were visible white specks (birds) of different sizes. I later determined that these "specks" included white pelicans, egrets and sea gulls. I was able to take a few pictures of these small lakes by holding my camera through or over sections of wire/barbed wire fence.

The railroad/rail bridges were marked with interesting graffiti art, and carried the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains; a few whooshed by during the time I was walking back and forth.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 blue jays; 28 ducks; 11 little brown jobs (LBJs); 56 crows; 2 butterflies (orange and brown/blk); 7 black-necked stilts; 5 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 5 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 3 dragonflies; 5 killdeer; 2 white pelicans; 3 cormorants (+ 2 others diving birds?); 5 turkey vultures; 1 dove; 5 Canada geese; 22 sea gulls

Alameda Creek - Sept. 13, '11

2011-09-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.1 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 30 min. (5:58 - 7:28 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking on Arizona St. (and Copa Del Oro), Union City, CA

This evening I continued to work my way up the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. I started at Arizona Street in Union City - near a small bridge over the creek, where I'd left off last week.

I walked east on the paved (asphalt) trail (shown as purple lines on the Bay Trail map). Some parts of this trail (underpasses) were packed dirt, but it was a nice broad trail for shared foot and bicycle traffic.

Alameda Creek is actually a large/broad creek bed that is bolstered with rocks on either side in many places. The rocks are less intrusive than walls of solid concrete and allow for some hiding places for lizards, ground squirrels and other small living things, and allow winter rains to percolate a bit more slowly into the ground I would imagine.

There is a slightly elevated path on both sides of Alameda Creek, and several over- and under-pass crossings. I saw several walkers, runners, bicycle riders, and dogs out for a walk with their owners this evening on both sides of the creek channel, and a few local denizens, like this squirrel up on a fence.

Wildlife Sightings:
7 dragonflies; 14 little brown jobs (LBJs); sound of woodpecker in tree, but couldn't see it; 1 mockingbird; 1 blue jay; 10 Canada geese; 2 hummingbirds; 1 black-crowned night heron; 2 crows; 16 sea gulls; 6 starlings; 4 red-winged blackbirds; 12 pigeons; 2 fuzzy caterpillars; 7 ducks; 1 bumblebee; 1 ground squirrel; 1 great egret

Home Stretch Walk - Sept. 11, '11

2011-09-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: N/A
Walking Time: 1 hr., 5 min. (11:25 a.m. - 12:41 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Michael's at Shoreline/Michael's Restaurant, Mountain View, CA

Today I celebrated walking around the San Francisco Bay with a group of family and friends. Thank you to all who joined in the fun. After meeting in front of Michael's at Shoreline, we followed the same paved (asphalt) bicycle and pedestrian path (solid red line on Bay Trail map) that I had scouted yesterday, with one small shortcut (we crossed over Whisman Slough on the first bridge vs. the second one.)

After walking a loop back to Michael's Restaurant, we had a bite to eat (I recommend the chopped cobb salad), and sampled some chocolates (since I was also celebrating five years of eating a different type of chocolate every day). Life is good, and thank you to Dan, Teri, Ashish, Ken, Alec, Sueling, Tom, Elle, Toni, Susan, and Elise for being part of the home stretch celebratory walk.

I'm sure I missed some wildlife today, as I was enjoying talking with people along the way. So, what I saw out of the corner of my eye, is listed below. I'm already planning to extend this Bay walk a bit; e.g. I will walk a few "new" or newly re-opened segments of trail in the next few months. At that time, I anticipate I will arrive at the 1,000 mile mark, after walking a few Bay Trail connector trails (purple lines on Bay Trail map).

Wildlife:
5 white pelicans; 5 terns; 6 sea gulls; 7 ducks; 2 red-tailed hawks; 7 swallows; 1 little brown job (LBJ).

Home Stretch Walk - Sept. 10, '11

2011-09-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3 miles (estimate) (2.5 "new" miles)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 46 min. (8:25 - 10:11 a.m.)
Start and End Point: Michael's at Shoreline/Michael's Restaurant, Mountain View, CA

Today was a practice run for my "home stretch" walk back into Shoreline Park -- my starting point for this round-the-Bay walk 2 years ago. I am looking forward to doing this walk again tomorrow with a group of great people who have joined me on Bay Trail walks.

From Michael's at Shoreline/Michael's Restaurant (near the Shoreline Golf Links golf course), I walked across the street (N. Shoreline Blvd.) out toward San Francisco Bay, and followed the (solid red line) trail in a southeasterly direction, then turned right (southwest-ish) and then over a bridge (second one actually, not shown on Bay Trail Map) and then northeast, toward the Bay again, until the trail ended at a locked gate. I then returned to Michael's via the same route.

On the way, I stopped to talk with a few people who were out walking, including one mother and son who was working on a Boy Scout badge; and I dawdled to do some bird-watching. I enjoyed watching white pelicans on the Bay; and one snowy egret, wading in some shallows, extending its yellow toes into the water and shaking its foot -- presumably to attract small fish. I was told that the fish think they see a worm wiggling. The foot shaking (fishing?) seemed to be working for the egret.

All in all, it was a very pleasant walk. The Bay was glassy still. The white tops of the Shoreline Amphitheatre (concert venue) poked up behind the golden brown hills (molded from garbage from many years ago when this Park was a dump site).

While I am returning to my starting point in Mountain View, I still have a few more segments of trail left to walk (some were closed for construction when I passed by originally). I should hit the 1,000 mile walk milestone before the end of 2011.

Wildlife Sightings:
7 terns (at least 4 elegant terns) - squawking and diving for food; 9 ladybugs; 1 cormorant; 1 turkey vulture; 39 sea gulls; 1 hummingbird; 26 little brown jobs (LBJs); 22 swallows; 2 pillbugs; 16 white pelicans; 2 great egrets, 7 snowy egrets; 27 ducks, 1 darker headed smaller bird; 2 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 6 tiny UBBs; 1 black-necked stilt; 12 starlings; 3 white butterflies, 4 skippers; 2 dragonflies.

Alameda Creek, cont. - Sept. 8, 2011

2011-09-08T23:39:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.6 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 43 min. (5:43 - 7:26 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Peregrine Way and Falcon Dr., Fremont, CA

This evening I walked another section of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail and, in the process, went from Union City to Fremont and back to the Union City area again. I started in an adjacent residential block, and followed a dirt path up to a short hill to get to this trail. (The eastern section of this trail is shown as a purple, solid line/trail on the Bay Trail Map.)

While not technically part of the Bay Trail, I'm following this trail toward Niles Canyon area because I following Alameda Creek further up into the hills to its source looked interesting, and also because a section of the Alameda Creek trail down toward Coyote Hills was closed until next month.

I found out later in the walk this evening that I was walking on a closed section here as well. Oops. What was my first clue? Probably the recently rearranged dirt and the earth movers. I failed to see the closed trail sign, as I entered this trail mid-way through this section.

However, once started, not easily stopped. So, I continued east to a section of the Alameda Creek trail that was open -- and followed this trail until a bridge, near the intersection of Arizona St. and Copa del Oro, in Union City.

Along the way I stopped to take some pictures under the Highway 880 underpass; not something I would normally see if I were driving along on top. This area, with pillars reflected in the creek, had the stillness of a cathedral.

The first leaves are starting to turn colors, a sure sign that summer is in retreat. I'll miss the light that has made evening walks possible in the past several months.

On the wildlife front, I saw a hawk; some lizards soaking up the last rays of sun on the rocky creek bank; swallows darting about before the sun slipped below the trees; and a housecat stalking a duck. I couldn't resist warning the duck.

Wildlife Sightings:
6 swallows; 5 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 ground squirrels; 1 hawk/kestrel/; 3 pigeons; 22 Canada geese; 1 dove; 1 blue jay; 1 ball; 6 lizards; 2 dragonflies; 3 crows; 11 ducks; 1 orange and brown butterfly; 1 cat (I'm guessing it was a domestic cat)

Alameda Creek NE - Sept. 5, '11

2011-09-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.7 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 10 min. (4:38 - 5:48 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public Parking lot, Alameda Creek Regional Trail, off Union City Blvd./Lowry Rd., Union City, CA

The bulk of my round-the-bay-revolution is drawing to a close this month (Sept. '11); however, today I revisited Alameda Creek Regional Trail to see if the piece on the south side of the Alameda Flood Control Channel near/in Coyote Hills Regional Park (solid red line on map) was open. It was still closed due to some construction, so a friend and I walked an alternate segment -- on the North side of this trail (shown as a solid purple line on the Bay Trail map).

We started and ended our walk, on this fine Labor Day holiday Monday afternoon, from a public parking lot (located off Union City Blvd. and Lowry Rd.). We climbed up a small embankment up to the trail, and walked northeast toward the trail's end in Niles. We stopped to view some white pelicans, ducks, egrets and other birds in the wide channel bordered by marsh grasses; and we later paused again to gaze upon some mini "rapids" in another section. A snowy egret and a cormorant hovered around the shoals in search of dinner. There is something very relaxing about the sounds of flowing water over rocks.

I plan to return, to finish this purple (connecting) trail -- following the channel, past quarry lakes, up to the base of the hills in the east and the Old (Niles) Canyon Bridge and back.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 lizard; 3 cormorants; 11 ducks; 5 white pelicans; 1 great blue heron; 24 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 great egret and 4 snowy egrets; 7 pigeons; 2 doves; 1 blue jay; 4 crows, 2 swallows

Alviso Slough Trail - Sept. 3, '11

2011-09-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 9 miles
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 35 min. (2:20 - 5:55 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Alviso Slough Trail, Alviso, CA

Today was "walking the big loop" day -- and, the loop in question was the 9-mile Alviso Slough Trail, near the Alviso historic district. The trailhead was located adjacent to the public parking lot of Alviso Marina County Park. I encountered a few runners, at least a half dozen bicycle riders, and one other walker.

This is one of a few trails where you get out into the Bay itself and, at its apex, you are out far away from everything. Well, almost. The distant, thumping base beat from a concert in Shoreline Park wafted out over the Alviso Slough, from several miles away. There were a few trains and boats that passed by. And there was the intermittent, annoyed squawks of a few departing great egrets and great blue herons who I had disturbed by walking by them on the trail; and the squawkings of terns who were diving swiftly down into the surface of the Bay. It was very peaceful.

Today was a warm, dry day with a bit of a breeze, and a layer of haze (smog) in the valley. The salt ponds were starting to dry up a bit, and the earth was dried and cracking in spots. But, there was still patches of green and thickets of marsh grass. There were hundreds of sea gulls spread out along the way, and also some white pelicans, egrets, and other birds.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 pretty brown and green snake; 3 small clouds ankle gnats; 16 ducks; 1 "gnat" moth; 4 UFO grebes/divers; 251 sea gulls; 3 dragonflies; 16 tiny unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs) + 97 UBBs; 11 little brown jobs (LBJs); 10 swallows; 5 cormorants; 32 white pelicans, 2 brown pelicans; 15 white butterflies; 2 willets; 17 great egrets, 14 snowy egrets; 41 terns (including 27 black eyed terns); 2 great blue herons; 5 crows/ravens; 1 hawk/kestrel; 2 ground squirrels.

Ravenswood SF2 Trail - Aug. 29, '11

2011-08-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.4 mi.
Walking Time: 48 min. (6:15 - 7:03 p.m.) - dawdled; took lots of pictures of bridge
Start and End Point: Parking spot near the foot of Dumbarton Bridge (Menlo Park side); Menlo Park/East Palo Alto, CA

Almost two years ago, I passed by the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. The SF2 trail (extending southeast from Dumbarton Bridge) was closed at that time as part of a restoration project.

More recently, the SF2 trail reopened (Fall 2010), and there has been additional construction going on by Caltrans (or Caltrans contractors) at the Dumbarton Bridge, making it difficult to park near this trail. Happily, on this beautiful summer evening, I found a spot amidst the tarps, rebar, and assorted other rubble, and walked the SF2 trail.

This trail is located on old Cargill Salt ponds and in at least one area, a few traces of the white, crystalline residue (and a no trespassing sign) remain.

It looked like interpretive signs were being deployed here over time; benches were installed; and two portable toilets were present. The plan is to return some of the surrounding area (from salt ponds) to marshlands.

I walked out to the end of this trail (to locked gate) and enjoyed the smattering of wild birds out in the Bay, as well as watching the water whoosh out of a set of pipes from a newly restored marshlands area, back into the Bay. I'm pretty sure this outflow reflected the going out of the tide.

This trail offers excellent views of the new and the old Dumbarton bridge(s) and the San Francisco Bay. I enjoyed the smattering of wild birds out in the Bay.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 cormorants; 2 willets; 1 little brown job (LBJ); 55 sea gulls; 2 tiny unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), and 14 other UBBs; 4 snowy egrets; 2 white pelicans; 1 tiny "gnat" moth; 1 dragonfly

Dumbarton Bridge - Aug. 28, '11

2011-08-29T00:13:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.87 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 45 min. (10:03 - 10:48 a.m.)
Star Point: East end of Dumbarton Bridge
End Point: West end of Dumbarton Bridge

This morning we walked from the northeast end of the Dumbarton Bridge to the southwest end of the bridge (in Menlo Park).

We walked on the only route possible for pedestrians -- a relatively narrow, shared bicycle and pedestrian path, on the south side of the span. This walkway was separated from automobile traffic by a roughly waist-high concrete divider.

During the first part of this walk, we could look down and see the fishing pier area and what looked to be part of the original Dumbarton Bridge, as well as a line of very large utility towers near the bridge that stretched out to the horizon across the bay.

The bridge span itself, was not that long -- a little less than 2 miles (each way); I'm basing this estimate on the short time it took for us to cross (45 minutes). We took two cars, and parked one at either end of the Dumbarton Bridge -- so this was a one-way walk.

Last month I walked the longer (land) approach to the Bridge from the east side, roughly starting even with the bridge toll plaza and walking to the beginning of the bridge span over water. It was helpful to break this bridge walk into two or three pieces, especially since there were relatively few places to park to help stage this walk. (Ongoing construction at either end of the bridge further reduced the number of potential parking spots.)

Of the 4 bridges that are walkable around San Francisco Bay (and that are part of the Bay Trail), I'd say the Dumbarton was the shortest, but perhaps the least relaxing to walk. We frequently turned to look over our shoulders to scan for bicyclists, to make sure we moved to one side when they passed. Our dog companion on the walk today seemed to look over the edge of the railing with a slight look of puzzlement. Fortunately, walking this span on Sunday morning meant traffic was light.

Wildlife sightings were limited mostly to birds we could see by looking over the edge down toward the bay -- such as a lone brown pelican circling above the fishing pier on the east side, or cormorants who like to perch on towers near the bridge; and there were a few ground squirrels who'd found a home in amongst construction materials at the foot of the bridge on the east side.

Thank you to Margaret and Albert for joining me on today's bridge crossing, over the Bay and into Menlo Park.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 ground squirrels; 1 brown pelican; 6 cormorants; 1 sea gull

Sunnyvale, Moffett Field - Aug. 27, 2011

2011-08-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 5 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 57 min. (2:16 - 5:13 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Dog Park area, near Shoreline Park, Mountain View, CA

Today's walk started near the Stevens Creek Trail (shown as purple line on Bay Trail map at right), in Mountain View. We followed the Bay Trail signs and crossed a bridge in the Whisman Slough area, and continued southeast along the San Francisco Bay to Sunnyvale, on a bay-side trail that ran behind NASA Ames Research Center and Moffett Field.

We were treated to views of massive hangars, capable of holding large blimps and planes. And, we watched a large Navy plane circle Moffett Field multiple times. The pilot was likely logging some flight hours.

This more leisurely Saturday afternoon walk offered views of white egrets, pelicans, ducks, many other birds, and the flutterings of different types of small butterflies and moths. Tiny yellow flowers and patches of red (dodder) and green salt-tolerant plants hugged the dried mud and edges of the packed dirt path -- that was wide enough for bicycles to pass a walker or two.

When we reached the end of the walk (the large interpretive sign with the hunter's sign in box) where I'd ended a previous walk, we turned around and watched Canada geese land on the Moffett golf course, and a small flock of goats, in a fenced area, as they did their job and munched on dry grasses, before heading back to the Shoreline Park area, in Mountain View.

Thank you to Ken who accompanied me on this walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
30 Canada geese; 2 great egrets, 14 snowy egrets; 6 ducks; 3 cormorants; 1 bumblebee; 10 gnat-sized moths/butterflies, 36 white butterflies, 2 orange and brown butterflies; 1 hawk; 20 little brown jobs (LBJs); 27 black-necked stilts; 8 terns; 7 sea gulls; 28 swallows; 4 brown pelicans, 13 white pelicans; 12 tiny unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 5 med. UBBs; 1 crow; 2 more of the cute, little birds who go around in circles in water; 7 goats; 6 dragonflies; 2 UFO grebes/divers; 2 ground squirrels

Sunnyvale - Aug. 23, 2011

2011-08-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.3 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 15 min. (5:41 - 6:56 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking area, end of Carl Road, Sunnyvale, CA

Close to, even in the heart of, Silicon Valley, there are small undeveloped spaces.

This fairly straight stretch of trail ran from the trailhead close to the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant north, close to Yahoo! buildings and Moffett Field golf course in Sunnyvale. Actually I walked one trail at the base of a garbage mountain, crossed over to the bay side via a small bridge, and then returned on the trail closest to (and running parallel to) the bay shore.

After catching a glimpse of the two large hangars in the distance at Moffett Field (through the wire fence), I realized I had reached the end of the planned walk.

I turned around at the large Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge interpretive sign and hunter sign-in box, another reminder that in a few months ducks will need to travel with extreme caution in this area. I think the large swarm of red-winged blackbirds will be safe. Interesting to see them mysteriously take over part of a garbage mountain hillside, and then disappear and reappear as a large flock of almost 100 birds. Many, many years ago, early visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area described the area as being "black with birds."
I would have loved to have seen this area a few hundred years ago.

On the way back to the car, I listened to ducks squabbling with each other from somewhere in the nearby marsh grasses, and spotted a pair of green herons fishing/hunting. It was fascinating to watch these greenish brown birds with relatively long golden beaks and yellow legs and squat bodies. They focused so intently on their small fry prey, staying very still for a long time before striking out and capturing tiny fish in their beaks. Herons are nothing if not patient.

Wildlife Sightings:
13 little brown jobs (LBJs); 13 swallows; 95+ red-winged blackbirds; 40 white butterflies and 1 orange and black/brown butterfly; 12
dragonflies; 18 ducks; 1 snowy egret and 2 great egrets; 3 coots; 3 sea gulls; 7 white pelicans; 3 UFO grebes/divers; 3 blurs in the bushes (BIBs); 10 cormorants; 1 black-crowned night heron; 2 green herons; 1 annoying cloud of mosquitos

Sunnyvale loop - Aug. 22, 2011

2011-08-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.5 + miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 41 min.
Start and End Point: Public Parking Area, at the end of Carl Rd., Sunnyvale, CA

Tonight we walked the Sunnyvale loop trail in the Sunnyvale baylands -- that starts near the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant. This packed, dirt 4.5 mile loop trail ran along areas of marsh grasses with large duck and black-necked stilt populations.

This area was a bit greener than surrounding bayland areas given the time of year -- late summer, when dried brown (OK golden) grasses and hills are the norm. If I had to guess why, I'd say it might be due to treated effluent water with residual nutrients.

Regardless, it made for a pleasant walk, and lots of bird activity. If the birds seemed extra wary of people walking by, it might be due to the fact that hunting season is due to open in less than two months, and some of these birds may remember being fired upon in past years. I can hardly blame them.

The trailhead area, at the end of Carl Road, branches out into at least four different trails, and it can be confusing. You might want to look at an aerial map before you go here, so you can verify you're on the correct trail. With baylands trails like this with grasses being fairly flat, it can be difficult to see out ahead of you.

Thank you to Ken who joined me for this loop trail walk.

Wildlife Sightings:

10 willets (or maybe godwits); 26 red-winged blackbirds; 8 doves;
2 pelicans; 8 white butterflies; 2 orange and black/brown butterflies; 2 lizards; 6 little brown jobs (LBJs); 16 swallows; 4 terns; 145 ducks; 55 black-necked stilts; 32 sea gulls; 40 cute little guys (like baby stilts, but not) swimming in small circles; 16 coots; 8 cormorants; 1 turkey vulture; 1 great egret, 5 snowy egrets; 2 jackrabbits; 1 hawk; 1 starling; 1 dragonfly

Sunnyvale-San Jose - Aug. 21, 2011

2011-08-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 8.6 miles
Walking Time: 4 hrs., 18 min. (1:40 - 6:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, end of Carl Rd., Sunnyvale, CA

Today's walk spanned from the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant (I believe this is what we used to call a sewage treatment plant) to Gold Street in San Jose. It was a long walking day -- made even longer by the fact that I was walking mid-day on a hot, sunny Sunday afternoon, and I forgot to bring a water bottle. (Not recommended.)

I did cover a lot of ground though -- including part of St. Tomas Aquino (a purple line, connector trail) going into Santa Clara (Great America), where I could buy something to eat and drink. This paved, bicycle and pedestrian path connects to the Bay Trail, near Calabazas Creek I believe.

On the way to San Jose, I passed a sports complex with ball fields, Sunnyvale Baylands Park, a long stretch of open land, and pair of new, gleaming and vacant high tech buildings.

Lots of bird and wildlife to see along the way.

Wildlife Sightings:
64 butterflies (54 white butterflies, 4 orange and brown/black, 4 black and yellow, 1 small brownish, 1 small grayish one); 26 crows; 25 swallows; 10 sea gulls; 12 little brown jobs (including 3 finches); 4 red-winged blackbirds; 2 ladybugs; 8 bumblebees; 9 dragonflies; 5 white pelicans; 16 terns (4 = ? terns); 2 hawks/kestrels; 7 cormorants; 2 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 16 ducks (8 = ? ducks); 8 Canada geese; 3 ground squirrels; 30 snails; 11 coots; 6 UFO grebes/divers; 1 lizard; 1 black-crowned night heron; 1 dove; 2 pigeons; 1 great blue heron

Mallard Slough Trail #2/2 - Aug. 20, '11

2011-08-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.1 mi.
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 17 min. (9:49 a.m. - 12:06 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Environmental Education Center, Alviso/North San Jose, CA

Today I returned to finish walking the Mallard Slough Trail - starting at the SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center at the end of Grand Blvd., in N. San Jose/Alviso area.

Yesterday, I had to cut the walk up the east side of this loop trail (not shown on this Bay Trail map -- but it lies to the east of the larger Alviso Slough loop trail -- which is shown as solid red line on map). Today I walked up the west side of the Mallard Slough trail and after a little more than 3 miles I reached the top of this loop -- with views of the now abandoned settlement of Drawbridge on Station Island (top right corner of map). And I got a better/closer look at the tops of some abandoned wooden structures, across a channel.

Fortunately, I arrived at this vantage point at the same time that a docent-led tour was being given in this same location. I was able to hear a few interesting facts about historic Drawbridge. Once a thriving community of residents and weekend hunters, and an area rich in shrimp and oysters, several factors led to its eventual decline: development, over-pumping of groundwater (which caused buildings to sink), and encroachment of the salt industry were a few of the challenges. The last resident left in 1979.

I was able to ride back to the Environmental Education Center in one of the tour vans. I'm including a photo of a view through the van window. Still a beautiful view, but I think it's a good example of how much more one can see on foot.

As with yesterday's walk in this same area, there were lots of birds to see, including a boatload of white pelicans and one lone brown pelican, successfully fishing for lunch. As usual, my rather unscientific account of wildlife spotted is published below. It's a shame to think that at least part of this trail might be closed in the future.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 orange and black butterfly; 2 fuzzy caterpillars; 8 white butterflies; 1 black and yellow butterfly; 1 coot; 2 crows; 1 UFO grebe/diver; 21 willets (or maybe some godwits); 52 Canada geese; 65 swallows (2 kinds); 4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 25 black-necked stilts; 19 great egrets, 41 snowy egrets; 50 white pelicans, 1 brown pelican; 62 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 28 tiny UBBs; 16 American Avocets; 7 ducks; 25 cormorants; 10 terns; 1 cloud of ankle gnats (near hunting sign); 1 turkey vulture

Mallard Slough Trail #1/2 - Aug. 19, '11

2011-08-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.2 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 2 min. (3:36 - 5:38 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Near SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center (EEC), end of Grand Blvd., San Jose, CA

First, thank you to Toni who joined me on this walk, and apologies to her for having to cut the walk short to rush back for an appointment. It was a happy discovery to find out that the Mallard Slough Trail trailhead was right behind the Environmental Education Center. This center had been closed the first time I stopped by in the evening after work. Happily, a guide there clued us in, and told us that the Mallard Slough Trail would be closing (perhaps for good in some spots); and that if we wanted to walk this trail, we needed to do so, "before the earth movers showed up."

So, while this good-sized (5+ mile) loop trail is not part of the Bay Trail -- it is the trail that has gotten walkers/bicyclists the closest to the old town of Drawbridge. All that's left of this settlement -- on an island area in the bay, surrounded by marsh grasses, visible from across a channel -- were some rooftops of a handful of old wooden buildings. Trains still go rumbling through this area; but at higher speeds you'd be hard pressed to see a lot, much less take any decent pictures.

Toni and I walked up the East side of this loop trail (not shown on the Bay Trail map -- but it lies just to the East of the large, 9-mile loop trail that starts at Alviso Marina County Park just to the West of this loop. This larger loop is shown as solid red line on the map at right. The two loop trails are actually joined in one spot.

We enjoyed seeing large numbers of Canada geese flying overhead at relatively close range, and many other birds, including white pelicans, ducks, and the usual assortment of gulls and shorebirds. We had to turn around just after sighting the tops of a few old Drawbridge structures in the distance (what? you can't see that tiny little wooden roof in the distance); but we got a feel of the area, and wondered how former residents would have gotten access to this area -- perhaps the train stopped there.

Wildlife Sightings:
7 black-necked stilts; 6 cormorants; 41 Canada geese; 4 white butterflies; 1 bumblebee; 5 little brown jobs (LBJs); 71 sea gulls; 3 dragonflies; 35 tiny unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 5 med-small UBBs; 52 white pelicans; 3 jackrabbits; 2 ducks; 2 terns; 10 great egrets, 22 snowy egrets; 1 great blue heron; 2 turkey vultures; 2 ground squirrels; 1 small lizard; 1 unidentified flying bug (UFB)

Los Esteros Rd., SJ - Aug. 16, 2011

2011-08-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.8 mi. total (2.72 = "new" miles)

Walking Time: 1 hr., 17 min. (6:16 - 7:33 p.m.)

Start and End Point: Street parking, on Spreckels, near intersection with Grand Blvd., Alviso/SJ, CA

This evening I re-walked part of Los Esteros Rd. that I had walked earlier this week. Unfortunately, due to lack of parking for this undeveloped trail area (shown as double yellow lines on Bay Trail map), this couldn't have been avoided, unless I had someone drop me off in a car and pick me up again. I found street parking near the intersection of Grand Blvd. and Spreckels, and walked east on Los Esteros from there until it passed by the large San Jose Water Pollution Control Plant, and turned into Zanker Road.

The trail ended at Zanker Road and McCarthy Lane (not a well-marked turnoff). As mentioned in the previous entry this week, Los Esteros Road is marked with no parking, no stopping, and no trespassing signs, particularly around the Water Pollution Control Plant. Is this an updated term for what we used to call a sewage treatment plant? I'm not sure.

In any case, I felt like I couldn't take too many pictures. A private security truck passed by me several times, but didn't stop. I would have been happy to talk to them about my Bay walk if they had.

Near the turning around point on Zanker Rd. was a fenced-in pasture of dry grass being nibbled down by a mixed flock of goats and sheep. And on the way back I listened to the distinctive cry of a red-tailed hawk above me (just like you hear in those Hollywood westerns).

In fact, this cry is worth listening to. Here's a link to the all about birds web site:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-tailed_hawk/id
Scroll down and click on the arrow (left side of page).

Wildlife Sightings:

10 doves; 19 Canada geese; 5 crickets; 6 swallows; 78 starlings; 9 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 goats; 14 sheep; 1 red-tailed hawk; 7 crows; 3 rusty screws

Alviso Marina - Aug. 15, '11

2011-08-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.8 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 7 min. (5:56 - 8:03 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, Alviso Marina County Park

This evening was my first visit to the Alviso Marina County Park and glimpse of some of the older buildings in the Alviso Historic District. My goal was to walk a series of shorter roads (mostly double yellow lines on Bay Trail map) and a short segment of solid red line trail in the Historic District.

Over-pumping of ground water apparently led to a sinking in elevation of part of old Alviso by the Marina area, and likely contributed to some buildings being abandoned.

One such building looked like an old cannery. Another, wood building around the corner looked like an old saloon. A large flock of pigeons seemed to have taken over another partially collapsed building.

Boats in the marina/channel area could be glimpsed through a sea of grasses, further accentuating a sort of lost-ancient city feel -- at least in comparison with Silicon Valley office parks and multi-story, cube-style buildings in the distance.

From the Marina parking lot, I walked down (Hope St. to Elizabeth to) Gold St. to Lafayette and Yerba Buena Way (on the far side of the Highway 237 underpass), and turned around.

On the way back I took the path to the left, just past where the Guadalupe River intersects with Gold St. (short, solid red line on Bay Trail map), which took me back to the Alviso Marina area. I then walked along State St. to Spreckles Ave. and walked the full length of Spreckles, before turning around and returning to the Marina via State Street.

Wildlife:

48 pigeons; 11 sea gulls; 1 hawk; 1 great blue heron; 5 black-necked stilts; 17 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 snowy egret; 2 ducks; 1 mockingbird; 32 starlings; 1 robin?; 1 snail (up on plant); 1 screw; 1 barking "farm" dog (chihuahua that run out under fence to give chase for a bit)

Grand Blvd., Alviso/SJ - Aug. 14, '11

2011-08-17T00:37:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.85 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 46 min. (6:08 - 6:54 p.m.)
Start and End Point: packed dirt parking area, near Marsh View Trail, end of Grand Blvd., Alviso/San Jose, CA

This evening I spent strategizing where I might find a parking space to walk Grand Blvd. and Los Esteros Road, in Alviso/San Jose, CA. This area of undeveloped trail (shown as double yellow lines on Bay Trail map) consists of a dirt strip along a paved two-lane roadway.

The route along Los Esteros passes by the rather large San Jose Water Pollution Control Plant -- and there are clearly posted no trespassing and no parking signs along this stretch. Fortunately, there is an environmental education center located at the end of Grand Blvd., that is part of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. While the center was closed by the time I arrived, the parking area, fortunately, was not. I look forward to making a return trip to see the center.

I walked west-ish along Grand Blvd., to the intersection of Grand and Spreckles Ave., then turned around and headed east-ish along Los
Esteros Rd. Unfortunately, I only made it to the first bend in the road, before having to turn back. Given the lack of parking along this road, I'll have to re-walk some of this stretch of Los Esteros next time I'm here later this week. Ah well.

Wildlife:
1 dragonfly; 2 doves; 15 sea gulls; 5 whiteish snails +1 white shell; 2 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 10 black-necked stilts; 1 mockingbird; and 1 screw

McCarthy Ranch, Coyote Creek - Aug. 13, '11

2011-08-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 5 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 20 min. (4:35 - 6:55 p.m.)
Start and End Point: McCarthy Ranch, shopping center parking lot, near In and Out Burger, Milpitas, CA

What a great Saturday: a quick stop at the Chocolate Garage in Palo Alto, a visit with friends, a walk on a new trail that I never knew existed behind a large shopping center, and a stop on the way home to replace another pair of worn-out shoes with new ones at REI. Walking the Bay Trail requires very little investment other than, perhaps, a good pair of shoes if you want to go for maximum mileage. I have managed to go through about six pairs of shoes and flip flops during my circumnavigation of San Francisco Bay.

So, back to the walk. Once I found the entry point to this trail off N. McCarthy Blvd./McCarthy Ranch, I headed north on this trail (shown as a solid, red line on Bay Trail map), and followed it past small gardens with rows of corn and vegetables, open fields (with hares racing between small scrubby patches of grass), and over a small overcrossing/bridge (where the trail merges with N. McCarthy Blvd. once more), until I reached (the end of) Dixon Landing Road -- more specifically the entrance gate to Newby Island Landfill.

Having turned around, I proceeded to walk back
the way I came, and continued on south (past my starting point) to the
overpass/undercrossing (where Coyote Creek crosses under Highway 237).

I was alerted to the presence of a predator in the area by the shrill cries of a ground squirrel near the trail. There was a gray, feral (but very healthy looking) cat with a bobtail, crouching in the shadows near the squirrel burrows. After the walk, I headed back to the car and to find some dinner myself.

Note: Make sure to bring water if you're walking this during a hot, summer day. There is very little tree cover or shade; beating the heat is another reason why I like walking in the early evening before sunset.

Wildlife Sightings:

24 little brown jobs (LBJs); 14 pigeons; 15 white butterflies + 10 other butterflies: 4 black and yellow, 3 orange and black, 3 misc. butterflies; 4 ground squirrels; 9 doves; 2 starlings; 4 sea gulls; 2 finches; 2 hares; 5 dragonflies; 2 red-winged blackbirds; 1 turkey vulture; 58 Canada geese; 1 feral cat; 1 lizard (medium size, dark); 1 duck; 1 snowy egret, 1 great egret; 8 white snails (3 = shells); 1 crow; 1 robin;
1 blue jay

Warm Springs Trail - Aug. 4, '11

2011-08-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 52 min. (6:12 - 7:04 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking on Northport Loop W., near intersection with Cushing Parkway, Fremont, CA

This evening I got a late start after work, and thought I wouldn't be able to finish this trail -- the six segments of double yellow lines at right angles to one another on Bay Trail map shown at right. This Warm Springs trail was an undeveloped, unpaved trail, with no lighting, and it looked like it would be about 4 miles, round-trip.

However, there was a closed/locked gate about mid-way through (end of third segment of) this section of trail, so I was able to stop and take some pictures at the trail's end, and take a leisurely walk back to the car, without being stuck stumbling back in the dark.

And, best of all, four gray foxes were crossing the trail ahead of me on the way back. It's rare to see these, and all the sightings I've had so far on my walk around the Bay have been in this area the past few weeks -- seven total counting these four; although I might have seen some of these same foxes more than once. This group may have been made of up a mother and three older kits. It was hard to tell, but one looked a bit larger and more vigilant and protective than the other three.

Wildlife Sightings:
5 mockingbirds; 1 ground squirrel; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 ravens + 5 crows; 1 hawk/kestrel; 4 swallows; 1 hare (running away); 1 small skunk waddling along in the dry grass; 1 bumblebee; 1 yellow jacket; 4 gray foxes; 2 cows (part of same herd I saw before off Cushing Pkwy)

Coyote Creek Lagoon Part 2 - Aug. 4, '11

2011-08-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.1 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 1 hr. (4:58 - 5:58 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot (open sunrise to sunset, day use only); end of Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA

This evening I returned to walk the second (southern) half of the Coyote Creek Lagoon Trail, part of the Don Edward San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge area.

As I walked out toward the Bay, I passed a crew and a few pieces of heavy machinery involved in some dredging, or removing plants from a water channel. Good for flood control, maybe, but as I was watching the large areas of mud and marsh grasses being peeled off, I couldn't help but think that this probably displaces wildlife that had settled in the area as well.

It was another nice, summer evening walk, with large numbers of various shorebirds, stilts and avocets. As usual, the black-necked stilts were the alarmists among their fellow bird colleagues, with sentries crying out in warning every time I stopped on the trail to take pictures
-- even when I took no steps closer to them, and was using a telephoto lens. Yes, it's happened. I've become one of those crazy bird ladies, telling the stilts that they were annoyingly over-worried. On the other hand, I had spotted gray foxes in this area last week, so I suppose they're better off safe than sorry.

And maybe the big herd/flock of American Avocets nearby appreciated someone keeping an eye out for danger.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 mockingbird; 4 ground squirrels; 3 killdeer; 6 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 4 sea gulls; 6 swallows; 42 black-necked stilts; 80 ducks; 56 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 57 American Avocets; 28 Canada geese; 1 cormorant; 4 crows; 1 kite (bird); 4 red-winged blackbirds; 2 dragonflies; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs)

Coyote Hills Bayview Trail - Aug. 3, '11

2011-08-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.3 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 30 min. (5:35 - 7:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, near rock outcropping, Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont, CA

The Bayview Trail is one of several trails in the Coyote Hills Regional Park. There is an admission charge for cars (and an additional $1 dog charge), but the park offers several nice trails for hikers, bikers, and others.

Thank you to Margaret and Albert for joining me this evening to finish the Bayview Trail loop -- that I hadn't quite finished previously. It was also a good excuse to go back to this trail cut into the Coyote Hills with scenic views of the Bay and the Dumbarton Bridge in the distance.

This is an especially nice walk before sunset. And, this evening, it was a good spot for seeing birds, ground squirrels, and dragonflies. There was a large hawk hovering nearby, intent on some possible prey in the dry grasses below. On the backside of the hill (non-Bay facing side), there was a large flock of white pelicans in the marsh/water in the distance.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 blue jays; 10 ducks; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 7 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 great egret, 7 snowy egrets; 1 black beetle; 11 dragonflies; 2 lizards; 8 ground squirrels; 2 finches; 9 sea gulls; 2 cormorants; 6 pelicans (5 white, 1 brown); 1 hawk

Fremont Blvd. - Aug. 2, '11

2011-08-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.6 miles
Walking Time: 36 min. (8:29 - 9:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot in Northport Center, Fremont Blvd. and Cushing Pkwy., Fremont, CA

Earlier this evening, I had to call it quits after dark, on the Coyote Creek Lagoon trail (the solid red line trail on map -- part of Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge). So, I decided to walk the more urban stretch of Fremont Blvd. (about half the length of the double yellow lines shown on map) back up toward Cushing Parkway (where I'd ended a previous walk), where there were paved streets and street lights.

Not many people about at this hour -- a few cars and bicycles. Strange wildlife sightings (below): 3 hubcaps - from car traffic on Fremont Blvd., and wave after wave of Canada geese (145 in all) flying overhead from east to west, toward the Bay-- in small groups, V formations, and larger squadrons, all honking their way toward their night resting places.

Wildlife:
3 hubcaps; 145 Canada geese

Don Edwards, Coyote Creek #1 - Aug. 2, '11

2011-08-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.4 mi. (1.2 mi. (estim.) x 2)
Walking Time: 53 min. (7:20 - 8:13 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot (at end of an unpaved access road/driveway) Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Coyote Creek Lagoon; Fremont; CA

It was a pleasant summer evening for a walk, and there was just enough sunlight left to walk the north half of this Coyote Creek Lagoon trail (shown as a solid red line on the Bay Trail map) before dark.

A small parking lot located at the end of a packed, gravel and dirt road (off Fremont Blvd.), adjacent to some willow trees and a small picnic area, provided a convenient starting point for this walk. A short walk out toward the Bay will lead you to the beginning of the trail that runs along the water.

Thick marsh grasses grew on the bay (west) side of this trail (with occasional glimpses beyond (like the one with large group of American Avocets shown at right). On the land (east) side of the trail, was a channel of water/lagoon with ducks and a smattering of shorebirds -- with commercial buildings beyond on the shore.

Walking later in the day/evening means an increased chance of seeing creatures like the gray fox that I spotted hunting around some bushes. About twenty seconds later I saw a hare bolt from the same clump of bushes; I believe the lucky rabbit got away, just in the nick of time.

Wildlife Sightings:
4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 35 black-necked stilts; 1 great egret; 24 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs): 2 medium size, and 22 small UBBs; 32 ducks; 32 swallows; 1 black-crowned night heron flying overhead; 40 red-winged blackbirds; 1 annoying cloud of mosquitos; 60 American Avocets; 18 Canada geese; 1 crow; 1 gray fox; 1 hare (flushed out of bushes by fox).

Dumbarton Bridge Approach - July 31, '11

2011-08-14T23:22:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 5.3 miles total (estimate)
Walking Times:
1.) 60 min. (1 hr.) (3:52 - 4:52 p.m.)
2.) 51 min. (5:06 - 5:57 p.m.)
Start and End Point(s):
1.) Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Newark, CA
2.) Fishing Pier at end of Marshlands Road, Newark, CA

Today I parked at Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge and walked Marshlands Road (shown as double red lines on Bay Trail map) -- the approach to Dumbarton Bridge -- in two segments.

The first segment I walked from the parking area in the Refuge (west) to approximately where the KGO building is on Highway 84, before turning around. And the second segment I drove west, parked at the base of the Dumbarton Bridge -- near the old bridge that has been kept open as a fishing pier, and walked east to the KGO building/shack where I'd left off previously.

How do I know this? Because there was a wire fence with a few slats, dividing Marshlands Road and Highway 84, and the KGO building on the other side of the freeway was clearly visible from Marshlands Road -- along with various bits of detritus against the fence: pillows, CDs, insulation, and the usual broken bits.

That said, approaching Marshlands Road this way was a very convenient way to break the Dumbarton Bridge walk in half (or thirds) -- taking advantage of the few parking spots near the fishing pier as a place to scope out the Bridge itself (which is less than 2 miles across from the entry ramp to the span near the fishing pier).

So, to summarize, today's walk was a long "corridor" walk with the sounds and shadows of speeding traffic on the north side, and the bay to the south. Every once in awhile a brave sea gull or tern would venture to fly over the freeway, flapping hard to avoid hitting a downdraft into traffic. The swallows seemed to stay on the Bay side, and darted about over the marsh. I'm used to seeing them wherever there are bridges and overpasses -- places where they can build their mud nests.

Unfortunately, I forgot the camera today, so any pictures here were taken a few days later.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 little brown job (LBJ); 7 swallows; 5 hubcaps; 14 sea gulls; 2 terns; 1 black and yellow butterfly; 30 starlings; 1 cormorant flying overhead; 1 great egret, 2 snowy egrets; 1 chair; 1 small mattress; 2 pillows

Spur Trail - July 30, '11

2011-08-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.65 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 38 min. (4:30 - 6:08 p.m.)
(This includes 30 min. stop at Visitor Center)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot (lower lot) near Visitor Center, Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Newark, CA

Today I was walked three short segments in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge area (south of Highway 84 - east end of Dumbarton Bridge). I also had the chance to stop by the Visitor Center at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, (DESFBNWR - is sure a long acronym).

Normally, I walk whenever I have time, and this means I often arrive after visitor hours.

So, it was doubly nice to run into Paul Mueller who was manning the Refuge Visitor Center right before closing time.

I had spoken to Paul (pictured at right) at the very beginning of my walk, when I was trying to figure out if certain Don Edwards SF Bay Refuge lands were open to hikers or not near Highway 84/Dumbarton Bridge, way back in 2009.

In this Visitor Center, in addition to maps and information, there were many interesting items to view -- including preserved likenesses of the illusive salt marsh harvest mouse, clapper rail (bird).

Sadly, I have not seen either one of these two endangered species during my two year walk around San Francisco Bay.

After continuing the walk (out to Thornton Avenue and back), I also walked the Harriett Spur and La Riviere Marsh trail -- even though the latter was not included on the Bay Trail map.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 1 cormorant flying overhead; 3 sea gulls; 1 dragonfly; 1 little brown job (LBJ); 10 swallows; 1 hawk/kestrel; 1 ground squirrel

Newark Slough Trail - July 28, '11

2011-08-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 6.5 miles total (estimate) (5 mi. + 1.5 mi.)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 50 min. (4:50 - 7:40 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge; Newark, CA

This packed-earth/mud, long loop trail (shown as a solid red line on Bay Trail map) extended out into the San Francisco Bay, initially running west, alongside the approach road (Marshlands Road) to Highway 84 - Dumbarton Bridge. It eventually curved around back (east) toward the shore.

I did not see any other walkers further out into the Bay -- so this 5+ mile loop might be a good, peaceful place to get away from it all, and if you don't mind the lack of green plants or shade trees. (The green area on the map is deceiving; this area is mostly open water and some marsh at high tide.) As with other bayside trails, this walk can be a little tiring/less fun on a windy day. But, during my walk there was only a breeze blowing -- enough to send a few tiny clouds of sea foam onto the trail, where they quickly melted.

This trail offers interesting views of the Dumbarton Bridge; and because of this trail's proximity to the water, it was a good place to spot a variety of birds.

Before returning to my car, I also walked the smaller loop trail -- the Tidelands Loop Trail. And, I happened upon a dove who was sitting on a fencepost that had been marked up with little love notes.

Wildlife:
3 terns; 3 ground squirrels; 5 little brown jobs (LBJs); 73 swallows; 4 snowy egrets + 2 great egrets; 4 medium sized unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs) + 21 tiny UBBs; 7 willets; 88 sea gulls; 1 cormorant; 2 unidentified flying bugs; 2 dragonflies; 1 hawk/falcon; 1 large, long cloud of ankle high small flies; 1 duck; 4 black-necked stilts.

Apay Way trail: July 24, 2011

2011-07-24T23:20:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.24 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 29 min. (5:07 - 6:36 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking area, near Marshlands Rd., Coyote Hills Regional Park (south end), Fremont?, CA

Late this afternoon/early evening, I walked from parking space near Marshlands Rd. to the Highway 84 overcrossing/bridge to the North side of Coyote Hills Regional Park, passing a large open pit quarry along the way, that was filled with a pool of green water at the bottom. I followed this unpaved trail to the end/start of Apay Way trail (east of "No Name Trail") -- then back to my car the same way.

A small group of snowy egrets were still hopping around a bit (must be breeding season); a (California King) snake absorbing a bit of sun on the trail quickly disappeared into the grass when it sensed I was approaching; and a minute later I was looking at a great blue heron standing perfectly still - the silent hunter -- standing in yellow-green algae.

Wildlife:
9 sea gulls; 3 bumblebees; 2 doves; 2 little brown jobs (LBJs); 3 white pelicans; 3 blurs in bushes (BIBs); 5 terns; 7 dragonflies; 4 unidentified flying bugs (UFBs); 4 snowy egrets; 1 feral or wildcat of some type; 1 duck; 1 California king snake; 1 light-colored moth/butterfly; 6 swallows

Angel Island - July 23, '11

2011-07-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 5.3 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 12 min. (12:02 - 2:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Angel Island Ferry Stop (Ayala Cove)

Thank you to Alec who joined me in this trip to Angel Island today. This afternoon we started from the Ferry stop in Ayala Cove, on Angel Island, and walked around the perimeter loop trail around the island and back to the ferry station in Ayala Cove. We experienced a fairly typical weather pattern -- overcast in the morning, and sunny later in the afternoon.

For hikers, the most direct way from the ferry stop to the beginning of the perimeter trail is to head straight and to the left when you disembark, past the restrooms, and up a few sets of stairs and a hill. (Bikers have a separate path.) Unless you choose to take the trail up to the top of Mt. Livermore, with the exception of one other fairly steep hill, the trail is relatively flat.

Technically Angel Island is not part of the main Bay Trail. However, the island is shown as a connector/connecting trail (solid purple line) on the Bay Trail Map (Marin sectional map) -- and it is well worth visiting if you get the chance.

There are some unique historic points of interest, old/abandoned buildings, and scenic views of San Francisco, the back side of Alcatraz, and of Tiburon, that you would not normally get to see. And if you take the Ferry, you'll also get a unique perspective on the other parts of the overall Bay Trail landscape.

For hiking more than two hours, there was not a huge amount of wildlife to report, but that also may have had to do with large numbers of people on the island on this summer weekend day (Saturday). In addition to picnic and barbeque areas, visitors can take a covered shuttle or segway tour of the island, or bring or rent bicycles to take their own two-wheeled adventure. Skates, skateboards -- and dogs are not allowed in this state park.

Walking at a relatively brisk pace (which limited picture taking and rest stops), we had just enough time to walk this loop trail in a few hours, and grab something to go from the cafe near the ferry stop, before having to line up for our boat back to Alameda. Another hour would have been nice to explore and visit the immigration station site.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 blue jay; 2 crows; 1 kite (bird); 2 turkey vultures; 1 bumblebee; 2 sea gulls; 8 Canada geese.

Cushing Parkway, cont. - July 21, '11

2011-07-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.0 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 8 min. (8:28 - 9:36 p.m.)
Start and End Point: parking lot, near McDonalds, 4101 Cushing Parkway (intersection with Fremont Blvd.), Fremont, CA

It was a warm evening for tonight's walk along the remaining (south-most) stretch of Cushing Parkway. I started from the intersection of Cushing Parkway and Fremont Blvd. and walked north on Cushing (shown as double red lines on the Bay Trail Map) as far as Bunche Drive. At the two ends of this stretch of Cushing Parkway were commercial buildings/businesses. But a large stretch of open space, and what looked to be ranchland, took up the middle part of this walk. The sidewalk along Cushing was lit by streetlights, enabling me to finish walking after dark.

When I started this walk, the sun was setting, and a few crickets were chirping. Once the buildings thinned out, it was still light enough to see a herd of cows off in the distance toward the Bay. By the time that I reached the beginning of the row of well-lit automotive dealers (intersection between Cushing Parkway and Bunche Drive), it was completely dark.

The dead of night offers opportunities to see animals and birds not normally seen during daylight hours. On the way up to Bunche, I noticed a bird scolding some moving objects off to the side of the road and saw two gray foxes; and, on the walk back I was relieved when a small skunk dashed away from the sidewalk where I was walking, and not toward the sidewalk. I was able to see what I believe were two owls flying over a field. I'm including a few blurry night photos -- of the two gray foxes and one of a large praying mantis bug atop a large sage bush - that was in motion when this shot was snapped. More examples of the challenges of capturing images of shy critters at night (on the go, without a tripod).

Wildlife Sightings:
1 unidentified flying bug (UFB); 10 swallows; 12 Canada geese;
35 cows; 2 gray foxes; 2 blurs in bushes; 1 small skunk; 2 owls? flying across field; 1 large praying mantis; 2 small moths.

Cherry St., Auto Mall - July 19, '11

2011-07-19T23:27:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.6 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 52 min. (7:15 - 9:07 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Intersection of Cherry St. and Buena Vista, Newark, CA

Tonight's stroll took me from Cherry Street in Newark to Boyce Road in Fremont and beyond, through the Auto Mall Parkway area (where many automobile dealerships were located) to the start of Cushing Parkway.

Most of this little journey was accomplished by walking on sidewalks. However, there was a long stretch of Boyce Rd., north of Auto Mall Parkway, where sidewalks switched sides of the road, or disappeared altogether -- making numerous crossings necessary across a busy street, unless you are willing to walk in the bicycle lanes. This stretch probably should be classified as double yellow lines on the map. Fine for bicycles, but not so for pedestrians.

This area was, from what I could see, with the exception of an apartment complex and a development off Buena Vista, almost all light industrial and commercial property. The Bay was not really visible from this walk, but its general location further west (judging from the few small creeks I crossed that were flowing toward it) was fairly obvious.

Wildlife consisted of a handful of birds -- some, like the small groups of sea gulls I was, were flying high overhead.

On the walk back to my car, I enjoyed a sunset -- that illuminated, and silhouetted, various objects: transformers/electrical towers, building, rows of trees, etc.

Wildlife:

1 screw; 1 brown snail; 1 crow; 34 sea gulls; 5 small, white-ish moths or butterflies; 4 swallows; 20 starlings; 1 mockingbird; 2 doves; and 1 giant concentrated glob of ants on the edge of the sidewalk.

Coyote Hills - Shoreline S. - July 17, '11

2011-07-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 8.89 miles total (5.44 miles of new Bay Trail)
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 25 min. (4:12 - 7:37 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Coyote Hills Regional Park parking lot, Fremont, CA

Today was a game of beat the clock -- I arrived late to Coyote Hills Regional Park, with high hopes of hiking the southern part of the Shoreline Trail (solid red line on Bay Trail map), and maybe if I had time, part of another trail.

The reality: I was walking against fairly strong headwinds for at least half the way -- while walking out (west on) No Name Trail (solid red line on map) and the southern part of the Shoreline Trail (that extends down to the Dumbarton Bridge/Marshlands Road).

I hustled, not stopping to take too many pictures, and made it out of the park by closing time (8 p.m. this summer). No time to walk any other trail. Coyote Hills on the Bay side, is a very scenic place to be during the golden hour(s) before sunset; so skipping the photo-taking was a challenge. I didn't see another soul (except for a few sea gulls who hovered above me and appeared to be looking for food) on this long trail while I was out today -- perhaps because I was walking it late in the day.

There were lots of white pelicans, terns, egrets and other bird life. Other than ground squirrels, I didn't see any other animals, or reptiles. The ground squirrels made their homes (burrows) in the farthest

reaches of both No Name and Shoreline trails -- in the tufted, dried mud lining both trails -- surrounded by water and/or old salt ponds on both sides. The landscape of plants consisted mainly of little clumps of green and red salt-loving plants (with tiny salt crystals on their "branches,") some grasses, and algae.

Wildlife:
5 ground squirrels; 29 sea gulls; 1 hawk/kestrel/falcon; 14 ducks; 12 swallows; 8 snowy egrets, 2 great egrets; 19 terns; 12 white pelicans; 40 small unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBB)s; 4 cormorants; 6 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 unidentified flying bug; 2 plovers/killdeer; 1 white butterfly, 1 small blue butterfly, 4 small/tiny whiteish ones; 1 small black beetle; 3 American Avocets

Cherry St., Continued - July 14, '11

2011-07-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.8 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 10 min. (6:41 - 7:51 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Near intersection of Smith Ave. and Manzanita St. (off Cherry St.), Newark, CA

This evening I continued my journey south along Cherry Street, a relatively major street (shown as double red lines on the Bay Trail Map) with a sidewalk running along the east side. I've caught no glimpse of the San Francisco Bay the last few days, but this long, straight stretch of road looked good for bicyclists. I saw what looked like a training ride in progress whizz past me, before I had the chance to photograph them.

From my starting point near Smith Ave. and Cherry St., I first walked north up to Central Ave., then turned around and walked south to Ohlone College, before walking back to Smith Ave.

There wasn't much in the way of wildlife in this urban stretch. A few birds fluttered by overhead. But, there were flowers growing by the roadside and over the wall that bordered the sidewalk. Nice landscaping: citrus fruits (lemons in this case) flowing over the top of the wall alongside pink roses. And purple blossoms littering the sidewalk.

Wildlife:
3 sea gulls; 1 hubcap; 7 crows; 1 starling

Newark - Thornton - July 12, '11

2011-07-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 3.4 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 5 min. (7:36 - 8:41 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking along Thornton Ave., Newark, CA

Tonight I walked the remaining segment of Thornton Ave., in Newark, CA (shown as double yellow lines on the Bay Trail Map), as well as the beginning of Cherry Street (from the intersection of Cherry and Thornton to the intersection of Cherry and Central -- shown as double red lines on map). I was able to amble along on sidewalks during most all of this route.

This walk ran by small businesses, homes and apartments. A few houses had "Beware of Dogs" signs posted on their front gates. One of these signs caused me to scan the yard; as a walker, this is almost instinctive -- I want to anticipate any dogs rushing up to me. However, all I was able to see through the fence were two goats. (It's probably more difficult to find a sign that says "Beware of Goats.") Another gardener had created a fence around his yard in the form of neat rows of corn and greens. The goats and the corn impressed me, because this was such an urban, developed area, with relatively small yards.

I passed two taquerias, a Mexican restaurant, a few chain restaurants, two Chinese restaurants, mini marts, and a few bars, but did not have time to stop and sample any food or beverage items this evening. Regarding wildlife, birds and critters were a little less numerous with all these paved surfaces; however, I spotted several sea gulls flying overhead, passing through the area at high altitude.

Wildlife:

11 sea gulls; 2 goats; 1 domestic cat; 1 little brown job; 1 couch

Newark - Willow St. - July 11, '11

2011-07-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4 miles

Walking Time: 1 hr., 37 min. (6:50 - 8:27 p.m.)

Start and End Point: Willow Place and Willow St., Newark, CA

This evening I walked through an industrial park/commercial area (depicted as double yellow lines on the Bay Trail Map). I figured out later I could have walked this as a loop, had I filled in the gap on Central Ave. (between the Railroad tracks and Cherry St.). Ah well.

From the intersection of Willow Place and Willow Street, I walked up a short distance to Thornton Av. and proceeded West on Thornton to Peachtree/beginning of the divider or island on Thornton, then I turned around. I walked back (east) on Thornton, and turned right on Willow St. When I got to the end of Willow, I turned left on Central Av. to just past the railroad tracks (in front of Henry Pocket Fences, 6995 Central Av., Newark, CA). I retraced my steps and walked back to the car from there.

On the drive over to Newark it seemed pretty warm; however, during this walk it clouded over and cooled off. I didn't think I was cold, until I stopped to log some birds in my logbook; then my fingers were so stiff, that I could barely write/scratch out some numbers.

Wildlife:

10 ducks (8 = ducklings); 1 turkey vulture; 3 doves; 2 swallows; 13 starlings; 5 crows; 3 mockingbirds; 2 rusty screws; 1 snowy egret; 16 sea gulls; 6 brown snails

Thornton Ave. - July 4, 2011

2011-07-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.8 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 1 min. (6:39 - 8:40 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Intersection of Jarvis Ave. and Gateway Blvd., Newark, CA

This evening I walked along Gateway Blvd., Thornton Ave., and Paseo Padre Parkway -- from Newark, into Fremont -- and then back down Thornton, back down into Newark and past the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge turn-off area until I reached the beginning of a residential development.

Most of this walk (shown as double red lines on Bay Trail Map) was along wide, tree-shaded sidewalks (along Gateway and Paseo Padre Parkway), along light industrial/commercial buildings and open spaces; although a fairly long portion of Thornton Ave. (shown as double yellow lines on map) had narrower sidewalks, or just an unpaved shoulder area for walking.

Tonight was 4th of July, and I could hear crickets and the distant sounds of illegal fireworks (accompanied by a few small puffs of smoke rising above the trees, houses and fields) in Fremont and Newark. As in many places, these whistles and pops were were happening despite the signs posted everywhere warning against illegal fireworks (in part due to high fire danger).

However, most of the birds and wildlife I spotted along this corridor, near the Coyote Hills, seemed fairly unreactive to the fireworks and celebrations in the distance.

Wildlife Sightings:
5 red-winged blackbirds; 12 doves; 12 crows; 21 little brown jobs (LBJs); 9 sea gulls; 3 ground squirrels; 3 mockingbirds; 1 hummingbird; 3 black-crowned night herons; 3 robins; 1 turkey vulture; 1 finch; 4 pigeons; 1 dragonfly; 1 pillbug; 2 small dust-colored moths; 1 kite (bird); 4 starlings; 7 swallows; 1 great blue heron; 1 large black beetle; and 1 cloud/area of ankle to eyeball gnats.

Fremont-Newark - July 3, '11

2011-07-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 4.8 miles (2.4 miles x 2)
Walking Time(s):
1.) 56 min. (7:59 - 8:55 p.m.)
2.) 48 min. (9:03 - 9:51 p.m.)
Start and End Point(s):
1.) Karl Nordvic Park, Fremont, CA
2.) Raley's Supermarket, Newark, CA

Tonight I walked Ardenwood Boulevard (from Paseo Padre Parkway to Jarvis Avenue) and Jarvis Ave. (from Ardenwood Blvd. to Gateway in Newark). These two streets (both shown as double red lines on Bay Trail map) form two sides of a Bay Trail triangle Bay, east of the San Francisco Bay, with Paseo Padre Parkway (and a bit of Thornton Ave.) forming the third side.

I passed the Ardenwood Historic Farm, but it was closed. The farm acreage is surrounded by housing and railroad tracks to the north, and Highway 84 and shopping centers to the south. This much open land being preserved in agricultural form was a rare and wonderful sight. There was also a produce stand (Perry's Fresh Organic Produce, off Ardenwood); however, I believe it was closed for the evening as well.

Walking in an urban area like this with generous sidewalks and street lighting made it easy to decide to walk later, to beat the heat. I waited until the cooler, evening hours to start my stroll. And it was much more pleasant. The only disadvantage: evening walks make capturing the experience in photos a bit more difficult -- since I don't walk with any extra weight or photo gear, such as a tripod. Of course it's especially challenging if I forget my camera entirely -- which I did. So, I have no pictures of this area. I may go back and snap a few if I have time later.

Wildlife Sightings:

7 sea gulls; 7 crows; 1 mockingbird; 24 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 snowy egrets (flying overhead); 1 great blue heron (flying overhead); 2 ducks (flying overhead); 1 snail; 1 moth; 6 unidentified flying bugs (that I hope weren't mosquitos).

Notes: Use caution when walking across intersections on Ardenwood that are also Highway 84 freeway off-ramps and on-ramps. Also, while the sidewalks along both these roads were great for pedestrians, the bicycle lanes were a bit on the narrow side in some spots.

Paseo Padre Parkway - June 26, '11

2011-06-28T01:56:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 1.75 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 39 min. (7:59 - 8:38 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public, unpaved parking lot at the corner of Patterson Ranch Rd., and Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA

As the sun set near the Coyote Hills Regional park -- which I'd just left because they were closing at 8 p.m., I re-parked my car in this gravel lot, and decided to walk some of Paseo Padre Parkway -- to the overpass (over Alameda Creek) into Union City and back again.

Along the way, I passed an interesting solar demonstration area, and was able to walk on comfortably large sidewalks both on Paseo Padre Parkway, and also along Ardenwood and Union City Blvd.

However, I would still advise caution in the area shown as double yellow/gold lines on the Bay Trail map -- the stretch where Ardenwood turns into Union City Blvd. -- as passing vehicles are moving rapidly over the overpass/bridge area.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 pillbug; 8 little brown jobs (LBJs); 34 swallows; 2 blurs in the bushes (BIBs); 4 doves; 1 hawk/falcon/kestrel

Bayview Trail - June 26, 2011

2011-06-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance:

Walking Time: 47 min. (6:59 - 7:46 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Coyote Hills parking lot, Fremont, CA

The Bayview Trail in Coyote Hills Regional Park (solid red line trail on Bay Trail map) was a beautiful trail to walk near sunset. From the parking lot south of the Visitor Center (near large rock peak/outcropping), I walked south and then west, and then north.

There was also a sign pointing toward the Bayview Trail -- which is a paved asphalt trail that, in most spots, is wide enough for bicyclists and walkers. Although it's best for walkers to keep to one side and to pay attention; cyclists may be zipping by around corners on the trail.

Unfortunately this park closes at 8 p.m., so I couldn't stay until the sun actually set over the Bay. However, I lingered as long as possible, and left just in time to avoid receiving a citation (for not being out of the park in time). And it was worth it. I look forward to coming back and finishing this walk, hopefully during another summer evening like this one.

On the way in, I walked by the same area with a large concentration of snowy egrets as I'd seen recently on a walk out to Shoreline (via No Name trail). This time my view was from a different angle (higher up in the hills), and I enjoyed watching terns, swooping by in the same area (near a large outflow or inflow pipe, where fishing or dining conditions were probably attractive).

Wildlife Sightings:

4 swallows; 1 black beetle; 23 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 25 sea gulls; 1 white pelican flying overhead; 1 ladybug; 8 terns; 2 ground squirrels; 4 ducks

Eden Landing, part 2 - June 25, '11

2011-06-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 5 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 47 min. (6:33 - 8:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Eden Landing Ecological Reserve parking lot (near Arden Rd.)

This evening I walked the second (longer) part of the Eden Landing trail from a parking lot in the north (a little south of Highway 92) southeast, toward Hesperian Blvd.

On the older set of (hard copy) Bay Trail maps that I have, much of this trail still appeared as a gray, dotted line, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this trail had been extended since the maps were printed. (See solid red line trail on the Bay Trail map above right.) This trail now ends (or begins, depending on where you start) at a housing development near/off of Eden Shores.

Before I reached the end, I had to slow down my pace a little, when I noticed I had a walking companion -- a skunk who was ambling around the edge of the trail, and headed in roughly the same direction that I was. I whistled a tune, and even starting to talk to the skunk (all the while, not getting closer than 20 feet from it), in hopes of not startling it and causing it to spray in my direction. But the skunk didn't appear to notice me. Perhaps this one was hard of hearing. Eventually it shuffled off the path and disappeared under a fence into long grass; so I could finally resume my walk before dark.

At the end of this trail, there was a private channel (I would call it a moat), with a gate (that I believe is locked at certain hours) that separates the end of this trail with a housing development. And there looked to be a small parking lot on the other side of this gate that was part of this community. For those wanting to park closer to civilization, it looked like this parking lot (assuming it's open to the public) could be reached by turning onto Industrial (from Hesperian) and then to Marina, and Eden Shores. Once inside the housing development, look for the playground area near the Bay, and for Dune Circle, where the trail starts.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 great egret, 5 snowy egrets; 8 swallows; 8 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs) with long/curved beaks; 67 other medium-size UBBs; 12 sea gulls; 1 whiffle ball; 24 black-necked stilts; 2 American Avocets; 22 ducks; 6 terns; 9 Canada geese; 1 skunk; 4 hares; 13 red-winged blackbirds + 10 other blackbirds/in same flock birds;

Hayward - Eden Landing - June 24, '11

2011-06-28T01:28:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 2 min. (4:50 - 5:52 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Street parking space near Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward, CA

This afternoon I walked from the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center to the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve Parking lot.

Unfortunately, the Interpretive Center was closed when I walked this route today. However, I did start and end my walk near this facility.

From the Interpretive Center building, I walked East on Breakwater Avenue, and took the pedestrian and bicycle overpass (crossing over Highway 92). This overcrossing allows visitors to start walking the packed gravel trail on the other side almost immediately; follow the signs and you'll be headed down a gravel path, toward the parking lot that serves the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (less than a half mile away from the overpass).

Once I reached the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve parking lot, and made some notes on how to reach this lot (near Arden Road) again -- which is not as simple as it sounds -- I turned around and walked back over the bridge/overcrossing and back to the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 unidentified flying bug; 39 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 sea gulls; 27 swallows; 2 very small black beetles; 1 crow; 2 brown snails; 1 med., brownish lizard; 2 ground squirrels

Coyote Hills Regional Park - June 23, '11

2011-06-28T01:18:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 6.6 mi. (estim.)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 52 min. (11:23 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Pkd: public parking lot, in front of Coyote Hills Vistor Center; Fremont, CA

Today's mid-day walk started at the Coyote Hills Regional Park Visitor Center, in Fremont.

Thank you to Sandy for joining me on today's walk. Fortunately we had a pleasant breeze, after a few days of fairly hot weather.

We started our walk from the Park's Visitor Center, and walked south and then west toward the "No Name Trail" (following solid red line trails on Bay Trail map). There was a large concentration of snowy egrets and other birds as we made our way between the hills and out toward the San Francisco Bay. The birds were in an area that looked like it might be rich in small fish or other food items.

It was wonderful to walk out, almost literally, into the Bay, across the No Name Trail to the Shoreline Trail. We walked a large loop trail - heading north and then back (east) inland again, and around and south, back to the Visitor Center. Parts of this trail were unpaved (packed gravel) and parts were paved (asphalt).

Wildlife Sightings:
4 ladybugs; 6 ground squirrels; 8 great egrets; 9 snowy egrets; 12 swallows; 11 terns; 197 sea gulls; 5 grasshoppers/crickets (small, beige); 2 cormorants; 17 white pelicans; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 great blue heron; 4 butterflies.

Alameda Creek Trail (North) - June 22, '11

2011-06-28T01:10:00.000-07:00

Walking Distance: 7.4 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 58 min. (5:11 - 8:09 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Alameda Creek Trail parking lot, Union City, near border with Fremont, CA

I was determined to make it out to the end of the (North) portion of the Alameda Creek Trail -- to it's endpoint, where it meets the San Francisco Bay and back -- before dark. And, I did, just barely. I don't recommend stranding yourself in the dark in the baylands, unless there's a full moon and/or you bring a flashlight. There's always the danger of running into a --- no, not a mountain lion, or a rabid raccoon -- but rather a skunk, who might shoot first and ask questions later. Also, most parks want most visitors out by a certain hour -- generally 9 or 10 p.m. during the warmer months.

But, back to this particular walk. I was rewarded with a great, close-up view of waves lapping at the shoreline by a lone picnic table at the end of this unpaved, packed gravel, trail. And, that made the long walk worth it -- as did seeing a pair of pheasants and many other birds.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 white pelicans flying overhead; 1 great blue heron; 17 American Avocets; 2 crows; 15 red-winged blackbirds; 91 sea gulls; 18 swallows; 4 horses; 1 blue jay; 4 Canada geese; 3 butterflies; 65 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 killdeer; 2 turkey vultures; 2 falcons/kestrels; 2 pheasants (pair); 7 snowy egrets + 2 great egrets; 11 ducks