Today I realized my dream of Naturing in Pescadero Marsh! And BYGAWD, did I pick A PERFECT DAY for it.

I desperately wanted a visit to Pescadero. Partly for Naturing and partly for all the rituals that go along with it, that perhaps only Carrie can truly understand and appreciate?

First of all, the drive down Highway 1 was particularly STUNNING. The glorious large puffy clouds gave the ocean a unique drama all its own. Any more, and I would’ve been risking my life by indulging in longer looks at it while driving…

After doing all the Must-Dos in Pescadero (Duarte’s olallieberry pie, Arcangeli’s artichoke herb bread, stop at the cute shack shops), it was time to finally check out the Pescadero Marsh Butano Creek route on AllTrails.

It’s a simple out and back. No shade. Just marsh. It was definitely warmer than I care for, but everything was so vibrant in color and lighting around me that I forgave the sun’s intensity.

Turns out, it’s a bit tough to actually get good looks at birds and whatnots in the marsh from this route. Yes, you can see some here and there, but I found that the best looks were only from far away. I frequently startled birds (some small groups, of which were likely super interesting fall migrants!!) that fled immediately and could not even be looked at through my binocs in time.

But, I was still honestly just so happy to be Naturing. And that deliciously salty air breeze kept me cool enough to not melt into a puddle on the trail.

With the usual coast/marsh suspects, including some delightfully Fall-colored Coffeeberry berries, I found a newtome plant! The Marsh Milkvetch! I had been walking on the trail and started to notice a plant I didn’t recognize. Most of the flowers had dried up, but I was fortunate to encounter a handful of bloom clusters. They’re do darling! And their leaves are INSANELY SOFT. So glad I bothered to stop and touch them.

Highlights include catching sight of a Northern Harrier (female, else I would not have been able to guess it in all likelihood) cruising over the marsh, a completely unexpected Belted Kingfisher (that I saw coming from a distance and got to watch fly by right in front of me!!), a couple of Least Sandpipers piping into the mud, a flash of a Common Yellowthroat (that I cannot believe I snapped only one photo of that turned out to be IDable?!), small fish in the water (Threespine Stickleback?), and newtome Yellow Shore Crab (!).

Also heard and saw Marsh Wrens, but I didn’t manage to document them.

Wrapped up my time in the marsh and headed out to make sure I had time for a stop at the San Gregorio General Store (to check that box) before heading home. And with that, I had a perfect day out in the Coastside and fulfilled my Coastside needs in so many ways. Ahhhhhh…