In Memoriam - the late Tennessee Beach Arch

It collapsed a few days ago after watching over the beach for hundreds(?) of years.

Check out THIS page for more information and a great series of photos of the collapse.

Tennessee Valley Turkeys

Great Horned Owls

Spring seems to be the time for seeing Great Horned Owls in and around the city. Tennessee Valley has always been a reliable place to spot them. I had walked to the beach and back with no luck last week when this owl finally appeared just as I was getting back to my car.

It seemed to know the area around the stables very well and flew with practiced ease from perch to perch as it hunted. I was glad to find the owl behaved naturally even as I approached with the camera. It rarely gave me a second glance as it scanned the hillside below.

Here it is perched atop the main barn which affords a commanding view of the surrounding area. Moments later it silently leapt off the barn and dropped to head height, gliding within 5 feet of my friend's face, only to perch again on a low fencepost behind him.

A fearsome predator descends in the night. I love the strangeness of this image and the star shapes created by the owl's tucked in talons.

I've also spent a little time at Stow Lake where 4 chicks have fledged and are exploring Strawberry Hill. It is amazing to be in San Francisco sharing a hilltop with 6 owls.

Once darkness falls you can hear their incessant begging calls as they hop from tree to tree honing their flight skills.