10/29 - Wildcat Marsh

 

Ten of us walked the approximately 3 mile loop around the landfill at Wildcat Marsh. Most walked CW and took the upper trail on the north side for the return. There were lots of birds, but only a few flowers. 

Merlin sound id'd black-necked stilt, western gull, long-billed dowitcher, marbled godwit, black-bellied plover, american avocet, willet, semipalmated plover and greater yellowlegs. There were also white pelicans, several little sandpiper "peeps" and possible other gull species. We also saw white crowned sparrows, redwing blackbirds, ravens, turkeys, a canada goose, turkey vultures, house finches and crows!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1pA614sEi6

10/22 - Mitchell Canyon

 

This was the usual hike in Mitchell Canyon: out as far as the table under the huge oak and then back. It was a beautiful autumn day, crisp, especially when the wind blew, but sunny and filled with color and things both animal and vegetable to look at. Just 8 of us on the 3.8 mile hike.

It was interesting that there were no berries that we could find on any of the Rhamnus ilicifolia (holly leaf redberry) or the Frangula californica (coffeeberry) but plenty of toyon berries.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Fm02pNkqGK

10/15 - No hike (rain)

10/08 - Huckleberry (I didn't hike)

10/01 - No hike (wet)

9/24 - Pacheco Marsh

 

There were only five of us today on a pleasant, cloudy day with a nice breeze and just a scatter of fat rain drops. Quite a change from the upper 90's we had yesterday. We walked a CCW figure 8 at Pacheco Marsh which reopened last May after a major restoration project. There was lots to look at and we felt sorry for those who had other calls on their time. 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Cy146tY1Eu 

09/10 - Pine Canyon

 

It was an early fall-like day with lots of clouds and just the beginnings of autumn color here and there. We walked from the Castle Rock Recreation Area entrance to the gate into Mt Diablo State Park and back 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2i116rHV52

Catching up...

 9/3 - from the end of Springhill Rd.

A dozen of us took advantage of moderated temperatures and walked the mostly shady Buckeye Ranch Trail from the end of Springhill Rd in Lafayette. It was warming up tho and we decided against the Sunrise Tr with its great views. Only about 2 1/4 miles, but we felt that was just right.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Dj230Q7pXp

08/27 - Briones

The weather was forecast to be mild and good for walking (it was!!) so our original plan was a visit to Briones where we rarely hike in the summer. It was planned as a lolly-pop up to and around the lagoons starting from the parking at the Old Briones Rd trailhead. But instead we altered that and walked down Toyon Canon Trail, then up Pine Tree Trail, to return to the cars. The flower of the day was Holocarpha heermannii - Heermann's tarweed which filled the upper grassy area and spilled down into the canyons. It was a display for the ages! A dozen of us walked about 3.75 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/eK9257460H

8/20 - Pt. Richmond

 

It is hard to believe that it has been almost exactly 11 years since we walked this route (8/27/2014). True, there is a lot of pavement and not many native plants, but there are interesting houses and gardens as well as long views of the Bay. There were large flocks of geese at the Miller/Knox lake and even an egret.  Many of us saw a sea lion that looked much like a large dog as it swam near shore.

Nine of us started from the park, kitty-corner from the Plunge, on East Richmond Ave and walked a curvy clockwise route up the hill, then counterclockwise to Keller Beach and along the waterfront of Miller/Knox Park. After a snack in the shade we returned thru the tunnel.

This was a pleasant walk on what promised to be a hot day inland. We decided to turn around before walking clear out to Ferry Point, so the distance was about 3.4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/483UN8P97U

08/13 - Redwood RP

 

I really shouldn't have worried about the weather being too warm! The fog was thick to start the hike and still had not done more than lift a bit by the time we were finished. It was a drippy, gray morning, but it wasn't cold and the walk was worth it. Eleven of us made a CW loop from the Skyline parking area, out the East Ridge Tr to Prince Tr, down to Stream Tr and back up to the parking lot. 3 miles.


https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9n4Y6P98PC