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)