Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttalli)
These pretty much dominate the floating docks at the Berkeley Marina, as far as I could tell. And by dominate I mean coat. Apparently they were introduced from the North Atlantic. Between Pacific Tides claims they require "relatively clean water." Does that mean Berkeley Marina is relatively clean? Seems doubtful...
Yay! I haven't seen a rattlesnake in FOREVER. This one was in a ditch on the side of the road. We found it … by finding other people looking at it.
This location is approximate. I know it was after the gate and before the hill really started, but I forgot to turn on my GPS.
Went seeking tarantula hunting with Tony, April, and Angie, and we had success!
Went down to the Berkeley Marina to investigate fouling communities. Many tunicates I have yet to ID, but I did find this familiar friend.
These were some of the few visible animals out there. It's sort of the dead time of year, similar to the dead of winter back East, when not a lot is stirring. But the Fence Lizards are out in force, mostly tiny little hatchlings, but adults too.
Along the Embarcadero, sleeping on some of the pylons.
Saw a pair walking along the sidewalk on Hillegasse. Again, acting human. Creepy.
People have been reporting sightings of a LIttle Blue Heron along Alameda Creek for the past week, so Sarah and I decided to go look for it. After biking east from the Isherwood staging area, we finally spooked it near the Old Canyon Road overpass. I've seen them back east, but this was my first one in the west. Very Pretty bird.
Growing under Monterey Pine on a ridge. What kind of insane mushroom grows in the summer around here?
Found this little one under a rock. I wish I'd found it earlier when a kid and his mom found me turning rocks and asked me if there were interesting bugs under rocks around here. I told them there were lots, but they were mostly really small. This was itty bitty, but who doesn't love a mantis?
The invasion is on. I, for one, welcome our new avian overlords.
