Common merganser at dusk
There’s a period early in the year in the Bay Area when the wintering birds overlap with the spring wildflower season, and I can hardly contain myself. Here are a few images from a couple months ago.
One of the best birdwatching sites nearby is the unglamorous Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District sewage treatment facility. Multiple ponds not only allow natural processes to break down waste, but provide habitat for waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. While some are residents year-round, the place really comes to life with the migrants present throughout the winter and spring.
A different view of the same common merganser
Canvasback
On a different day, I headed to see forest-dwelling flowers at the Martin Griffin Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch. Posting these a couple months after the fact feels like waving goodbye to familiar friends that I’ll see again next spring.
Douglas iris
Western columbine
Spotted coralroot
Miner’s lettuce
Woodswoman Writes 
As usual, lovely pictures – even if they are from a few weeks ago. We will look forward to the next batch. The light on the Columbine (a flower I know) and the Iris (this species I did not know) was particularly lovely. I could feel the power of the light and had to “blink” at it. Our spring just turned into summer. The peonies in my back yard had small buds one day, less than 1″ across, and suddenly there were 12 full-blown peonies 4+” across open to the sun – and the sudden shower as well. Enjoy your ability to get to these unusual “nature sites”! Harriet
Even though I know these cycles repeat themselves every year, I can’t help feeling wonder about it all, when flowers burst out of plants in a splash of color. And this year in particular in Northern California, plants are so vibrant after years of drought. Thanks for sharing the seasons in Michigan.
So wonderful! Love the columbine and merganser.
Thanks, glad you enjoy the photos.
The post and the experience share beyond the arbitrary parameters of time. Thank you for finding and sharing the beauty in this place!
I hope you can come north for a visit some time to visit these places with me.
Amazing pictures and great tips for exciting nature walks! I love the birds.
The Las Gallinas treatment ponds are easily accessible and a nice place for a family walk.