Redwood Shores - Jan. 22, '12

Walking Distance: 2.9 miles (estim.)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25, min. (10:40 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot (park across across Oracle), Redwood Shores, CA

Today I thought I might need an umbrella and a plastic bag for my camera, but it just misted lightly.

From the public parking lot, I walked across the Oracle Bridge, turned left (toward Highway 101), and followed a paved (asphalt) trail along the Belmont slough, under an underpass, up to the Belmont Sports Complex. I passed new Childrens Bridge (crossing over Highway 101), then I lost the path/trail around Concourse and Clipper. I passed the Hyatt (hotel). Eventually I found my way back to the Bay Trail to a long straight path (combination bicycle and pedestrian path).

I turned around at a small park (near the intersection of Port Royal Ave. and Rock Harbor Lane), near Lantern Cove Apt. Homes driveway. I walked back, and this time, instead of getting lost as I had on the way -- I easily found a dirt path from the Belmont slough -- passing on the slough side of the Volkswagen America/SunEdison building. I saw several artichoke plants that had gone to seed on my stroll back to the Belmont Sports Complex. From there I made my way back over the Oracle Bridge to the public parking lot, across the street ( from Oracle headquarters.

Wildlife:
88 ducks; 10 snowy egrets, 3 great egrets; 15 Canada geese; 17 little brown jobs (LBJs); 25 coots; 1 black (tree) squirrel; 6 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 UFO grebe/diver

Redwood Shores - Jan. 21, '12

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)

Loop around Oracle - Oct. 8, 2009

Walking Distance: 2.85 miles
Walking Time: 52 minutes (6:00 - 6:52 p.m.)
Start & End Point: Parking near intersection of Bridge Parkway and Island Drive, Redwood Shores, CA

In this second walk segment today, I walked along the slough and around Oracle (Parkway). The sun was setting as I finished my walk around the Oracle glass-encased towers. There were several murders (what a great name for a group) of crows filling the sky around the Oracle complex and surrounding waterways. It looked very much like the flying monkeys scene from the movie "The Wizard of Oz."

Wildlife Sightings: 10 sea gulls; 2 cormorants; 50 crows; 8 snowy egrets and 2 great egrets; 167 Canada geese (on Oracle lawns - one hissed when I walked too close on the path); ~ 40 little unidentified brown shorebirds on mud/water's edge; 6 ducks flying overhead + 30 in the water; 1 coot; and 2 little fawn/mouse-colored, white-fronted geese with yellow legs and beaks.