Stinson Beach week 1

· San Francisco

Stinson Beach on week one has never been more foggy and gloomy which is all to say that you couldn't have better hiking weather. We have been exploring Mount Tamalpais and the Point Reyes National Seashore on long meandering all-day walks. We saw many birds (77 species so far!), and many Coast Garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans terrestris), and met a new snail the Redwood sideband snail (Monadenia infumata).

Flowers galore, of every shape and size, morning glories (aka bindweed) covering great mountainsides in a profusion of pale pink blossoms. We have never seen so many blooms so late in the year. There is water in the streams and waterfalls like there is in winter. This June has been a long cool extension of winter on the coast. Here are some photos to share our magnificent walks, talks and moments of enjoyment.

The view from Hog Island Oysters is a truly divine place to dine al fresco and see many birds and be among the engaging sound of the song sparrow.
We also brought some home for a feast for everyone.
It is always a treat to see the huge flocks of brown pelicans. Not so long ago they were threatened with extinction.
Redwood sideband snail (Monadenia infumata)
Define a meadow. Learning always learning.
I'm not sure what this is but it comes straight out of the earth and has a reddish stem and no leaves.
Sky trail recovering slowly from the Woodward Fire in 2020.
Canyon live-forever (Dudleya cymosa) growing on Woodward / Coast Trails

If only a camera could capture the awe and wonder of these places. Let me tell you how magical and transcendental an all-day adventure can be.

Happy Father's Day!

Sending love,

Tawnia (and Matt)

P.S. Birds