The moon rose over the Berkeley hills tonight and painted the lavender waters with a golden brush. This Egret took advantage of the light and continued foraging while night fell.
Berkeley Marina
Barn Owl Stretch /
Cesar Chavez Park near the Berkeley Marina.
Happy Birthday Mom! /
I know owls are seen as bad luck in Tanzania... but they are the best of luck in the Bay Area and at Berkeley's Cesar Chaves Park. Not much can lift my spirits more than coming around a bend and seeing this face looking back at me. In the hopes that my delight can transfer through the internets and bring joy in Dar es Salaam, I offer these images as a birthday salutation. See you in a few weeks!
There were only a few minutes of light left when I saw this gleaming bird watching the sunset.
Maybe we will see some owls when we go to Ndutu. Happy Birthday Mom. Thanks for making everything I've ever known possible.
Berkeley Marina Redtail /
I spent about an hour with a young Red-tailed Hawk along the road to the marina last week. So now you get a big fat post full of gratuitous hawk images.
First year birds spend more time hop-scotching around chasing down any movement in the grass below. Eventually they learn a few lessons, settle down, and become more efficient hunters.
Speeding through the skies in the hope that the next streetlight will provide a better vantage point.
Detecting movement on the ground, the hawk quickly closes in.
Wings and tail are held high when it smacks into the ground trying to grasp a gopher before it disappears below.
If you missed it the first time... try digging.
If I were to anthropomorphize, which I wouldn't, I'd say this bird is frustrated, but I'd never say that.
Off to try its luck elsewhere with a Berkeley resident giving chase.
Gazing at another streetlight as it ascends to try its luck again.
Eventually the Berkeley hills looming in the distance prove irresistible and the Redtail heeds the call.