Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Why Drive-By Birding?


We've always enjoyed the birds. Sometimes they come to us, like the succession of mourning doves that nested in a planter on our front porch. Other times we go looking for them.

We got truly hooked last fall when we drove James' parents to Lodi to see the Sandhill Cranes. What an amazing sight! Field after field of huge birds -- cranes and swans and geese -- spread out for acres. A reminder of the early accounts of flocks so huge they darkened the skies.

So we started looking for places in our neighborhood to enjoy whatever birds were going to show up, with an eye to spots that could be reached with limited mobility, and extra points for a comfy bench. Places where you can sit and let the birds come to you.

That was the origin of drive-by birding. I'm using this blog to share some of our favorite spots, mostly on but not limited to the San Francisco Bay Area. There are lovely spots where some can sit comfortably and enjoy the view while companions stretch out their legs on a short walk, and I'd like to share them with you.