Created 10-Oct-25
A Great Blue Heron stands firm atop the dam, holding their ground while a tour approaches. Then they join their mate in a bare snag nearby, only to take off again in a confusion of giant wings. Flying across the lake, one demonstrates smooth flight after awkward takeoff.
A Great Egret carries nesting material into shallow Searsville Lake: time to build a nest in the water? Later, the egret fishes in the lake, practicing catch and release. Ripples turn the surface of the lake into a muted tapestry.
California Ground Squirrels enjoy domestic life on the porch of their burrow. The morning toilette includes preening the tail, perhaps leaving scent. They deposit pheromones at the entrance, then check to make sure all is OK. Posing and playing around.
Visits on succeeding days, October 4 and 5, 2025. The first, leading a Bay Area hiking group from the lake up to the ridge and back, with nice lake views from distant trails as well as up close. The lake is near low water for this year; the rainy season might begin soon. The second tour was intended to document the semiannual ant survey; I was led astray, again circling the lake in warm autumn light. I did capture a few “anting” photos, including the traditional group photos, serious and playful (as suggested by Jack Owicki). Since the two days cover similar ground, the last gallery combines the photos in rough geographical order.
A Great Egret carries nesting material into shallow Searsville Lake: time to build a nest in the water? Later, the egret fishes in the lake, practicing catch and release. Ripples turn the surface of the lake into a muted tapestry.
California Ground Squirrels enjoy domestic life on the porch of their burrow. The morning toilette includes preening the tail, perhaps leaving scent. They deposit pheromones at the entrance, then check to make sure all is OK. Posing and playing around.
Visits on succeeding days, October 4 and 5, 2025. The first, leading a Bay Area hiking group from the lake up to the ridge and back, with nice lake views from distant trails as well as up close. The lake is near low water for this year; the rainy season might begin soon. The second tour was intended to document the semiannual ant survey; I was led astray, again circling the lake in warm autumn light. I did capture a few “anting” photos, including the traditional group photos, serious and playful (as suggested by Jack Owicki). Since the two days cover similar ground, the last gallery combines the photos in rough geographical order.
10/4/2025: Great Blue Herons at the Dam
Visitors 58
20 photos
Created 10-Oct-25
Modified 10-Oct-25
10/5/2025: Catch and Release in Searsville Lake
Visitors 15
43 photos
Created 10-Oct-25
Modified 10-Oct-25
10/5/2025: Ground Squirrels at Home
Visitors 12
20 photos
Created 10-Oct-25
Modified 10-Oct-25
10/4-5/2025 Around and Above Searsville Lake
Visitors 18
27 photos
Created 10-Oct-25
Modified 10-Oct-25
Dan Quinn