My Birding Day: SIP Redwood RP

My Birding Day: SIP Redwood RP

Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren, Adult

One of my favorite local parks is Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. I find it peaceful walking amongst the shadows of the tall trees along the stream. It’s hard to keep the day’s stressors in my head when I have nature’s comfort all around. That’s why I was so devastated when the park was closed down due to the pandemic.

The moment that the Bay Area announced that the shelter-in-place would begin at midnight, we rushed to Redwood to get in a quick park visit. (Side note, we also went to See’s Candies – apparently, I was more afraid of missing out on chocolate more than any other food item.) The Redwood trees gave me their unconditional care as I worked through the panic of the impending SIP. As we left, a sign was installed at the parking lot announcing its temporary closure.

Two months later, the parking lots were reopened. We waited for my Friday day off to visit in order to avoid the weekend crowds and the stress that comes along with staying distant from other hikers. I was relieved to find the park the same, minus one closed parking lot and only one set of restrooms available. The trees welcomed me back into their familiar realm.

We hiked for over two hours, listening to the birds, taking in the smells (although my sense of smell is spotty at best and I could only make out the Hemlock), feeling the constant dance of the warm sun and cool wind on my skin.

Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren, Fledgling Peeking Out Between Branches

I was delighted to watch a family of Pacific Wrens. Two adults and four cheeping fledglings trailing their parents in a quest for food. During our trip, we recorded a total of 11 wrens, most of them singing their dizzying yet delightful songs.

I’m so thankful that I can now return to my fav park!

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