We took this picture from the edge of the dam near the spillway.
There was a couple dozen Ring-necked Ducks cackling away on the early
part of the hike. We saw some mushrooms on an oak log that looked similar
to oyster mushrooms. We spent a bit of time watching a Bewick's Wren
scruffling around in the brush. It reminded me of one of our earliest hikes
when Chris (at 12) and I listened for a Bushtit for 15 minutes before it
appeared. Nice memories to build on...
We had some good conversations along the trail and
sitting in the sun eating our snack amidst the oaks and
calls of the Acorn Woodpeckers.
On the way back, we stopped at the other side of the dam to take a picture
looking back at where we started:
Here's what we saw:
Birds
Pied-billed Grebe,
Mallard,
American Wigeon,
Ring-necked Duck,
Turkey Vulture,
American Coot,
Acorn Woodpecker,
Scrub Jay,
Bewick's Wren,
American Robin,
Hermit Thrush,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
"Oregon Junco"
.
Mammals
Mushrooms
Reptiles & Amphibians, etc.
Western Fence Lizard.
Shrubs
Trees
Coulter Pine,
Douglas Fir,
Coast Redwood,
Coast Live Oak,
Tanoak,
California (Bay) Laurel,
Toyon,
Madrone.
Wildflowers
Coast Tar Weed
.
