PIer at Oyster Point, Oyster Point, South San Francisco, CA, Photo credit (c) Likeitiz

Today is supposed to be the first day of Fall.  It’s technically supposed to arrive sometime early in the afternoon PDT in the SF Bay Area.  It is also known as the Autumnal Equinox. Unlike the Midwest and Eastern part of the country, we don’t get the dramatic Fall foliage colors that envelope the land so dramatically.  The weather is more on an even keel here in Northern California, as is the changing of the seasons.

View of Pier at Oyster Point from the South, (c) Likeitiz

We decided to walk on Oyster Point in South SF.  Hubby and Beau, our dog, have been there once and they promised me it would be an enjoyable hike.

View of the Ferry Terminal that operates on weekdays to and from Oakland and Alameda, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

We parked at the Marina where there was a small crowd gathered to see the conclusion of a fun run.  We made our way to the walkway along the shoreline past the neat rows of boats. We past the Ferry Terminal that operates on weekdays only to and from Oakland.

Panorama of Oyster Point Marina and the SSF Ferry Terminal, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

Birds Native to Oyster Point Park, (c) Likeitiz

We pretty much had the path to ourselves, for the most of our walk.  There were the odd couples fishing or walking their dog.  We passed various native birds hunting for their meals with their chicks in tow.  This place has some interesting residents.  There are the curlews, stilts, sandpipers, ducks called shovelers, cormorants, and pelicans.  We saw quite a few of them along the shore. It was a low tide so the mudflats were exposed in some areas and this is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for them.

View Approaching the Genentech Campus at Oyster Point, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

As we go around the windy path, we see the Genentech campus with its modern buildings reaching out to the shore. It must be great to work in those offices with views like these.

View of Oyster Point Park shoreline along Genentech Campus, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

We passed a peninsula that juts out about half a mile to the water.  The pathway is dotted with picnic tables and a beautiful cypress that looks like it’s thriving quite well where it is.  It reminded me of the Lone Cypress on Pebble Beach, a much photographed tree. But this one seems healthier and more robust. Not struggling and romantic in its isolation as it was for the famous Pebble Beach lone cypress.

Cypress Tree on the Shoreline, Oyster Point Park, (c) Likeitiz

Here it is again on panoramic view:

Panorama of Cypress Tree on Oyster Point Park, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

I also noticed a eucalyptus tree that was growing sideways instead of growing tall and majestic like those in my neighborhood. I guess they can’t really grow too tall on the shoreline.  It must be the winds.  This one has bowed gracefully as if to provide shade to sun and sea revelers.

Black and White of Eucalyptus Tree along Oyster Point Park shoreline walkway, (c) Likeitiz

I hope you had a great first Fall day in your own neck of the woods.

Happy Fall Season, everyone!

Related articles:

• First Day Of Fall 2013: The Autumnal Equinox Is Here (huffingtonpost.com)
• Happy Fall Equinox Day! (misscolbynana.wordpress.com)
• Wishing All a Blessed Autumnal Equinox (cherokeebillie.wordpress.com)
• Autumn Equinox: 5 Odd Facts About Fall (livescience.com)
• Haiku 57 (poemattic.wordpress.com)
• Happy Autumnal Equinox (beautifulrailwaybridgeofthesilverytay.me)
• First Day of Fall…Happy Autumn Equinox (keywestqueereye.wordpress.com)
• When The Fall Comes (allof100.wordpress.com)