On a cool, windy Memorial Day Saturday, D. and I went to Hayward Regional Shoreline to take a walk. Hayward Regional Shoreline comprises about 1,700 acres, a lot of which is former salt ponds restored to marshland in recent years. The fog kept trying to roll in, and in the sharp wind it was hard to stay warm as we headed out onto the trail.
Here's some pics I took:
One of the many barn swallows nesting under the decking of the Interpretive Center.
The trail heads out into the marsh.
The San Mateo Bridge (State Route 92) toll plaza is visible in the distance, at the southern edge of the marsh.
A dead seagull lies at the side of the trail.
Hayward Marsh, fed by treated freshwater from the nearby wastewater treatment plant. Islands were created in the interior of the marsh basins to provide protected nesting sites for birds.
An avocet leads us down the trail, drawing us farther away from his nest nearby in the marsh.
Wild mustard is flourishing here.
This ground squirrel came up quite close to us along the trail.
A black-necked stilt on a nesting island in the marsh.
The wind creates some chop on the Bay.
Wild radish.
Part of a water gate, perhaps leftover from the salt pond era, almost submerged at high tide.
A ruddy duck keeps an eye on us as it swims rapidly away near Johnson's Landing.
City Of Hayward. Water Control Compost. Pollution Facility Project. Hayward has weird signs.
As we follow the trail between the Triangle Marsh and the W. Winton Avenue Landfill, the grasses on the berm are tawny and summer-dry.
A lizard stands its ground as we pass by on the trail.
Sit here if you dare!
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The following are some pics D. took.
The Interpretive Center has a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_clapper_rail
clapper rail stained glass window.
Clapper rails are endangered and live in the marsh.
One of the barn swallows nesting under the deck of the Interpretive Center.
Mud and pickleweed.
Another view of the San Mateo Bridge toll plaza.
A view of the marsh.
Water gate device things, once used to move water in and out of salt evaporation ponds.
A roller used for leveling the levees separating the salt ponds, now long-abandoned.
Wild mustard.
A least tern. There is a large breeding colony of them on an island in the marsh.
Here's that ground squirrel again.
"Seventeen! Twenty-three! Forty-two! Hike!"
Wild radish.
The skull and some vertebrae of a ground squirrel, wedged in the rocks at the Bay's edge.
Those water gate device thingies again.
The ruddy duck again.
The trail goes through Cogswell Marsh.
Yep. Flat place.
Quick! Call the lolrus! We found his bukkit!!
This thistle is about to pop into bloom.
A squadron of white pelicans spans the sky.
I suppose eggs are always on the lunch menu in the marsh.
Wild radish. Again.
No City Police. Trespassing Property Ordinance.
Here's another lizard pic.
A turkey vulture swoops low over the marsh.
The ebbing tide reveals hundreds of invasive Eastern mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta).
More artifacts leftover from the salt pond production era, disintegrating out in the elements.
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