On the way back from Asia, I had an overnight layover in San Francisco. Stayed at the Airport Mariott and discovered a great birding spot right outside the hotel door! The San Francisco Bay Trail provided some needed exercise after a long flight, and some great birding in the shallows along the bay.
Here is a Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus).
Google Earth overhead view of SFO International. The shore to the south is lined with airport hotels and the Bay Trail.
The Trail covers the 500 mile shorline around the Bay. I only got to walk about five miles, but it was really great.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus). Lucky to see during it's migration to Northern Canada.
Hope the Whimbrel is flying Business Class. Those little seats in Economy are AWFUL!
On the wing.
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis).
This nice scene is a Benihana Restaurant along the Bay Trail in Burlingame, Ca.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Ubiquitous but welcome sight after 6 weeks in Vietnam, a country with a very reduced bird population. The bombing and shelling during the war decimated the country's birds, and the recovery has been slow as all creatures are considered edible and hunted for food.
House Sparrow link
House Sparrow link
Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus).
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula).
This was the biggest shock on returning to the U.S. after 6 weeks in Vietnam....WOW!
I'm telling you these are amazing birds, great photo captures, all of it.
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun, I like that you included the gas marque.
Happy Everything & Thank you, for sharing.
Great pictures and information! I've boated all over Florida, and have seen many of the wildlife you have blogged about. Can't wait to read about your Vietnam trip. Did you make it to Thailand or Malaysia (where I'm from)? Northeast Malaysia is famous for the turtles that return to lay their eggs every year.
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