Alkali Heath; Frankenia salina

Palo Alto, CA July 2, 2008 Alkali Heath grows in rounded mats at the edge of saltmarshes. It has pretty little pink flowers.

Beach Lavender flowers

We enjoyed watching the Windsurfers from the dock at the Palo Alto Baylands. These guys could really zip along on the strong breezes.

This Snowy Egret is preparing to regurgitate a meal to one of its two fluffy gray chicks. There was a small rookery of egrets in some Eucalyptus trees.

The strong afternoon breezes attract after-work windsurfers in the southern end of San Fransisco Bay.

California Buckeye; Aesculus californica

Muir Woods National Monument,CA July 4, 2008 The California Buckeyes were a spectacular sight in many areas of the central coastal mountains. We had seen them last year in the southern part of the state, but not blooming as profusely as these trees.

Most of the plants under the boardwalk are Pickleweed, a common salt marsh plant.

This long Boardwalk leads from the nature center through the salt marsh to the edge of the bay. It is a good place to watch birds and to look for the elusive and rare California Clapper Rail. I looked for the bird, but I never saw it.

The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature center is located near Google at the edge of the southern end of San Fransisco Bay. The city of Palo Alto has set the area aside as a protected wetland. The nature center has displays on the plants, birds and animals of the wetland. There is a small laboratory for students to learn about tides, microscopic organisms and birds. map...

Ring-necked Pheasant; Phasianus colchicus

Palo Alto, CA June 3, 2008 It was quite a surprise to see a Ring-necked Pheasant wandering around the high shrubs near the wetlands. These birds were introduced from Asia as game birds for hunting. They have spread into undeveloped areas. The males, like this one, are brightly colored (I just wish he had not had his head in the shade!).

I got this photo of a Ground Squirrel eating a bird egg from the car window as we were leaving the Palo Alto Baylands. We had seen gulls and crows with the egg earlier. Then the squirrel got in on the action. People usually think of squirrels as being strictly herbivores, but they will eat meat if given the opportunity.

Stinging Nettle

! This plant is quite common in some areas of California and can cause considerable pain if you have a close encounter with it. The tiny barbs are barely visible on the leaf stems in this photo. The following photo shows a close up of the nasty little glass-like spines which break off when touched.

Beach Lavender; Sea Lavender; Limonium angustifolium

Palo Alto, CA July 2, 2008 I found this plant growing on the bank next to the mudflats of the salt marsh. It is amazing how much difference just a few inches of elevation can make on plant life. Although it doesn't get flooded by the tides, it still has to be salt tolerant.

Bullock's Oriole; Icterus bullockii

Palo Alto, CA July 2, 2008 This male bird was defending his nest from marauding crows. Oriole nests hang beneath the branches, delicately woven.

California Horn snail; Cerithidea californica

These snails were quite numerous in the mudflats at the Palo Alto Baylands. I was surprised to see how quickly they could move. Their mouth is located in the long black tube near the opening of the shell. These snails are the first of three steps in the life cycle of several species of parasitic trematode worms. The snails are eaten by fish, which are then eaten by birds, where the worms lay their eggs, birds excrete the eggs into the water to be ingested by the snails, and cycle is then completed.

Northern Harrier; Circus cyaneus

Palo Alto, CA July 3, 2008 This bird terrified the shore birds as it dived and hovered over their flocks. Harriers eat birds.

American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt; Recurvirostra americana and Himantopus mexicanus

These are 2 of the many different kinds of shore birds that can be seen at the Palo Alto Baylands. Others include Willets, Marbled Godwits, gulls, terns, and pelicans. In the winter many migrating birds stop over for "refueling" at the wetlands. There are several miles of trails for walking, running or bike riding along the edges of the wetlands.

California Spikenard; Aralia californica

Muir Woods National Monument July 4, 2008 The circular clusters of flowers reminded us of floral fireworks, appropriate for the 4th of July! The leaves seen in this photo are from a different plant. California Spikenard grows over 6 feet tall!

Like many other plants that live near the ocean, Beach Lavender excretes salt through the leaves.

A California Horn snail at low tide leaves a track in the mud as it searches for food.

Black Phoebe; Sayornis nigricans

Palo Alto, CA July 2, 2008 These birds are a type of flycatcher, they catch insects in mid-air. It was common to see them darting over the salt marshes from branches and reeds.

There are numerous Cliff Swallow nests built up under the porch rafters of the nature center. It was fun to watch the birds dart into the nests to feed their young. Here, some of the chicks and adults peer from the nest openings.

Close-up of California Buckeye flowers

Trail Plant; Adenocaulon bicolor

Muir Woods National Monument July 4, 2008 This is an easy plant to identify because of its distinctive seed growth. It is common on the west coast. We had seen it in the forests of Washington in 1998.