Least Sandpiper And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #31

 

"It was one of those days you sometimes get latish in autumn when the sun beams, the birds toot, and there is a bracing tang in the air that sends the blood beetling briskly through the veins."

 

P.G. Wodenhouse Jeeves And The Old School Chum

 

More from my visit to San Francisco, and Marin County. The tiny, yet fierce, Least Sandpiper, which is also the smallest of all sandpipers. So beautiful in flight, but then what bird don't I enjoy seeing flying? Especially in autumn? But there is something about these little birds. I am not sure why I feel so much affection for them, but I do know why I respect them so much. The oldest lived to be 15 years old, which is kinda stunning for something so fragile. This little 5 inch bird has survival power! Strength like that gets my love.

 

~Me

American Avaocet And Leaf Of The Day #30

 

"The birds will wing from the weather,

 while I stand still as the harvest, with the sound of the fall in the air."

 

~Carolyn Kizer

 

Aren't the majestic? They are American Avocet, and I spotted them at a new spot for birding, Shorebird Marsh Overlook, in Corte Madera. The park had every kind of white bird. Pelicans, egrets, Least Sandpiper, you name it! I will be going back. I am not sure when, but probably on a Marin County day. A day spend enjoying the drive up Mount Tam, and riding along Paradise drive and the ridge just over the Golden Gate bridge. You know, a day in an autumn daydream.

 

 

~Me

One Month, A Million Little Joys Plus Autumn Leaf Of The Day #29

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

 

L. M. Montgomery

Anne Of Green Gables

 

Fuzzy little autumn creatures. What's there not to love? And it's even better that I spotted it in October. My favorite month gives me everything in just 31 days! My anniversary. Halloween candy. The turning autumn leaves. The Pacific Flyway, virtually at my front door, as I know the mergansers will show up in the channel eventually. The smell of cinnamon and clove is everywhere. Spumoni. Halloween costumes. Scary movies. And that first cool breeze. One month, a million little joys. October.

 

~Me

Beauty In The World In Autumn And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #28

 

"If, of all the seasons, there is which a person completely forgets himself and constantly watches the magical environment, it is undoubtedly autumn."

Mehmet Murat ildan

 We made it out to Woodbridge yesterday, early, and were treated to a magnificent sight. Hundreds and hundreds of them were playing, well actually, eating, in the fields across from Woodbridge preserve. The gorgeous grape leaves made everything just autumnlicious. No, not a word, but definitely a feeling. It's the feeling of contentment, serenity and happiness.

 

 

Oh Hi Doggie

 

"His beard was all colors, a grove of trees in autumn, deep brown and fire-orange and wine-red, an untrimmed tangle across the lower half of his face. His cheeks were apple-red. He looked like a friend; like someone you had known all your life."

~Neil Gaiman

Fragile Things: Short Fiction And Wonders

 

It was a day. Yesterday we spent the whole day in search of birds in Bodega Bay. First, however, we were treated to the sights along the way in Napa, Sonoma and Solono counties. Just little roadside oddities and small bites of Northern California Americana. It felt nice to be back in some of my old stomping grounds. We will visit more now I think. It's best to not plan this stuff too far in advance. Just flow with the rustling leaves.

 

 

~Me

Mating Dance

 

"October, crisp, misty, golden October,

 when the light is sweet and heavy."

 

~Angela Carter

The Magic Toyshop

 

Another beautiful group of Sandhill crane, along Desmond road. But this time I was in for a treat. Alan and I pulled over to check GoBird and I was adjusting my camera, when a fellow birder altered us that there was a mating dance going on, a little further up the road. We got there in time to see a bit of it, and now I hope to be able to observe it again. It was fascinating. The males splashed in the water, and then flew up into the air, flapping their wings in a grand style. They were out to impress the only female I saw there. The bird with the outstretched wings clearly impressed the young lady, and the other males took to flight. A little while later the male and female left for their Saturday evening day, and hopefully, some serious necking!

 

 I love birding!

 

 

~Me

Damn Those Vampires

 

"Alone. Yes, that's the key word, the most awful word in the English tongue. Murder doesn't hold a candle to it and hell is only a poor synonym."

 

~Stephen King

 

He's just a lonely vampire. Flying around northern Nevada. I spotted him one bright, beautiful October morning, while on vacation in 2005. Life had been difficult for a while. Five or six years of pain and deep uncertainties, but one day the veil lifted and life became worth living for, and I found myself on a car ride with Alan, and a camera in my hand, off on a car ride. Sometimes it happens that way. Life can throw some awful curve balls your way, then over time a person does a reset, and life is back on some track. You don't feel the same, but you are okay with where you are. That's how I feel right now. I hope to get out soon and see some Halloween decorations here and there, maybe even in northern Nevada. We will have to see where the gas prices go. Back in 2005 gas prices were $2.89 a gallon, today it's   I suspect the prices will go down after the mid-terms. If only I could just climb out of my coffin, put on my cape, and soar into the sky, like gas prices are right now. Sigh. Maybe later in November at least some of life's vampires will be back in their coffins.

 

Damn vampires.