R: Anise Swallowtail.
Today I went Naturing along Tomales Bay with friends, discovering what the Southeast and South bits of the bay are like after wondering about it for many years. We checked out the Tomales Bay Trail and White House Pool Park trail, specifically and respectively.
But there’s a problem. My digital camera’s battery died. Mid-way through downloading my photos to my phone. And I STUPIDLY forgot to not only pack my 2nd battery but ALSO forgot to pack my charger. What is this, Amateur Hour??
So, this will be an incomplete post. And I’m not proud of that. But what I can share is that I’m so glad to have gotten closer looks at these parts of the bay. And that it was a Banner Day for RAPTORS.
Not only did we see an insane variety of them (Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Turkey Vultures, Osprey), but we ALSO spotted a flippin’ BARN OWL in the middle of the day, flying in the bright sunlight!!!
I can’t even express the incredible joy of ALSO hearing a Barn Owl back at our Pt. Reyes house for the weekend, once everyone else had gone to bed.
I am debating on adding the rest of my curated photos to this post later, once I can get them off my dang camera. But I probably will. I hate the feeling of incompleteness.
Must mention another highlight of seeing an Anise Swallowtail caterpillar. Been a while since I’ve seen one. And they could NOT BE MORE AMAZING LOOKING.
All in all, a lovely day out exploring near Pt. Reyes. It never disappoints.
