Today was a Marin day, having started the day at the Pelican Inn for my unbirthday.

As part of the custom, a walk to Muir Beach was in order at some point. And since I absolutely did not manage to do a night walk last night as I had hoped, it had to be today.

As is almost always the case, it was a quiet and chill walk out and back. Fun galls (Coyote Brush Bud Gall Midge and Potato Gall Midge?) and the usual suspects this time of year (California Poppy, Coast Tarweed, Bindweed, Pacific Aster), plus the delightful Beach Suncup and Yellow Sand Verbena once we got to the beach.

No whales sighted.

As for fauna, California Quail and Anna’s Hummingbirds. But I managed to eversobriefly catch sight of a Wrentit that I’d been hearing. Hiding. Of course. And I had an intense staredown with a Sonoma Chipmunk!

Spotted a juvenile (?) Heerman’s Gull along the shore, that the group was pretty certain was there the afternoon prior. Haven’t seen one of those in forever.

Onto the primary Naturing of the day, Phoenix Lake! Wanted to take advantage of having Brian with me to explore on a Monday, and Carol and Dan had never been, too. We shockingly found parking spots. It was MEANT TO BE.

It was DANG HOT, but I think we were able to find just enough shade not to melt while there. The lake was prettyasever. But what a difference a season makes. I’ve only been there once before, and that was SPRING. With loads and loads of Checker Lilies. Summer is a whole other story…

Highlights include newtome Wiry Snapdragon (native!), a gorgeous Twelve-spotted Skimmer (lovelovelove that I’m seeing Skimmers with more regularity), a couple California Sister butterflies, a White-breasted Nuthatch, and a surprising Belted Kingfisher (which was a treat for Brian, as it’s his favorite).

But what was the best was showing folks the lake and area that hadn’t been there before. I flippin’ LOVE that. Like sharing a secret. Or something. I don’t tire of it. Not one bit. And I can’t wait to come back in the Spring. On a weekday, of course.