Black Crowned Night-Herons perching in the Mission. How crazy is that? Mission lake is long gone, but these water birds instinctively fly back here to roost.

Black Crowned Night-Heron poop

First heard about these Mission Night Herons from Candy on the SF bird yahoo group. I didn’t believe it. But, sure enough, when I walked up Dolores St. on the East Side b/w 16th and 17th I couldn’t miss the poop. Herons are a rather large bird so their poop is pretty big too. With this much rain poop will wash away quickly, but if you see it, that means Skyler is still here chillin’.

Notre Dame Plaza

The plaza is right across the street from Mission Dolores. Skyler is in that tree there.

Skyler Mendoza chillin’.

You might not even notice Skyler if you weren’t looking.

Skyler Mendoza

Skyler, don’t know how long you will stay, but we’re glad you’re here. You’re welcome anytime. Please come again.

I walked to McKinley Square behind SF General this afternoon. I was looking up for perchies that I’d seen on previous excursions (future UD bird post), but it was slim pickens.  There was however, an abundance of fun fungi when I looked down. Apparently, these guys just ♥ this wet weather.

After poking around McKinley for a bit, I descended into Dolores park.

Dolores Park Mushroom

I’m new to mushroom hunting, so I’m unable to identify these positively. My partner “kate at yr own risk” will have more insightful mushroom posts. The only thing I can tell you is that all of the mushrooms in San Francisco are “Magic”.

We arrived an hour before the lowest tide hit -1.42 feet at 3:37 PM December 30, 2009. Negative tide reveals a whole new world to explore at Pillar Point: Massive mussel beds, starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones, abalone, crabs, snails, clams, a variety of seaweed, microcosmic universes, and the most vivid colors. We were just outside of the Marine Park so we also brought our CA fishing licenses in order to legally take some yummy mussels.

The yellow shading indicates the James V. Fitzgerald State Marine Park.

In the future, new legislation will probably extend the park into where we were exploring. That would make this area a no-take zone, and no mussel collecting.

Here you can see how far you’re able to walk out on negative tide.

So close to the big waves of Mavericks.

Collecting mussels.

Alien universe.

Starfish beard.

No starfish were harmed in the making of this shot. He was carefully placed back in his home.

Grumpy fish.

Baby Uni

SuperStar fish!

Baby Rockfish? Cabezone? Monkeyface eel? or just little tide pool fish?

Mussels Mussels Mussels.

We go after a medium size.  December they are tasty and safe. Steam them in some coconut milk with some lime, or cook them in a paella. Yum, yum, yum.

Make sure you check with CA fish and game for up to date regulations. You do need a current CA fishing license, never harvest between May 1 and October 31, and never harvest in a protected area.

Postelsia, also known as the sea palm or palm seaweed

Underwater Uni

Can you spot the Abalone?

Abalone

Abalone are delicious. You can buy farmed red abalone in Half Moon Bay harbor, but this wild little guy is off limits. Take of wild abalone South of the Golden Gate Bridge is prohibited. North of the Golden Gate, you can take abalone, but you must have a CA fishing license, and an abalone punch card. Plus all abalone must measure over 7 inches. This little fella is too small even if he did live North. (Diving for Abalone UD post, coming soon.)

One more underwater shot.

Early morning mist on the lake.

Birders start counting as the sun comes up.

Bufflehead

Black Crowned Night-Heron juvenile

Black Crowned Night-Heron adult

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Greater White-fronted Geese

Hermit Thrush

Red-tailed Hawk

Towsend’s Warbler

Downy Woodpecker

Double-crested Cormorant

blurry Virginia Rail

Red Shouldered Hawk