Evening Walk at Arrowhead

I stopped by Arrowhead Marsh on my way home from work the other day, it was my first time visiting just before sunset. I was excited to see if there would be different birds. It was most of the usual suspects, but I had a very magical walk… all of this in less than an hour!

Just after I arrived I saw several marbled godwits by the shore, then a black oystercatcher, a greater yellowlegs, and then I looked up and saw about 20 pelicans flying towards me! My camera was too slow to focus as they got closer, so I missed the most beautiful shot of them flying right over my head, but I got a few other shots. Can’t wait to get my paws on a new fast telephoto lens…

Here are the photos – had a good time down near the viewing deck watching some egrets and a great blue heron that I thought looked human from a distance… it was hunched over and looked so haggard, I was cracking up! I also saw a pied-billed grebe but the photo I took was blurry so I didn’t include it here.

Even though I see these same bird species often, it’s still so thrilling to see them.

Arrowhead Marsh

Look at the sunset, it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen in Oakland in a long time… felt other worldly, especially since I was nearly alone at the park, there were only a few other people walking their dogs.

Today’s birds at Arrowhead Marsh:

Marbled GodwitBrush Rabbit*American Coot
WilletWhite-Throated SparrowHerring Gull
Greater YellowlegsDouble-Crested CormorantBlack-Crowned Night Heron*
Black OystercatcherGreat EgretSnowy Egret
Brown PelicanGreat Blue HeronWestern Sandpiper

*New sighting!