Kittens and Flowers - Enough Already!

Yeah, we've been pretty much stuck at home these days, and it shows. But sometimes we do get out, even if it's not very far away. 

Like the Cataract Falls Trail on Mt. Tamalpais. We had hoped to hike the Coastal Trail but the overgrown grass obscuring the trail and swarming with ticks (no, I didn't see any, but I just know that they were lurking there, ready to suck my blood) was a huge deterrent. 

As it turned out, the Cataract Trail was a better choice this time as it wandered through dappled shade and small water seeps. Lots of bird sounds, too, to try and identify. I think we'll try this hike again, but next time we'll go when there is a better chance of more water. 

And then there was the visit to the UC Berkeley campus to watch the peregrine falcons fledge. I mean, really, nature in action right in the middle of the city!

The young female had already taken her first flight by the time we arrived, and the young male was not quite ready to take the big step (he flew the following day) but we did hear them and see one of the parents standing watch on the tower. 

There was a lot of drama and sadness with this year's family - disappearing mom, dad killed by a car, brand new stepdad - so I wish them the best of luck.