Arrowhead Marsh

Arrowhead Marsh is so named due to the shape made by the marsh grasses.  It's always soothing to walk the shoreline of ML King Shoreline Park.

low tide

Low tide reveals more than shore birds.  Usually in celebration of Earth Day, the tires and other junk get plucked out of the estuary.

blue skies again

We've had some much needed rain but there will be fair skies for the weekend.  This ship-like observation deck is at Arrowhead Marsh in the MLK Jr. Shoreline Park.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

E is for estuary

Early evening along the estuary.  Runners, walkers, and bikers like to take the trail along the estuary as it runs through much of East Oakland.  This guy warned me not to snap the shutter yet because he didn't want to spoil my picture.  I thought, "Are you kidding, you make the picture."  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

playtime along the estuary

This family was having a great time playing on the the sculptures at Arrowhead Marsh at MLK Jr. Shoreline Park.  The metal for the sculptures looks like it came from a mothballed boat or ship.  Don't know for sure but I like the idea.

the estuary at dusk

Dusk at the MLK Jr. Shoreline Park.  Some days the skies can get gray and misty.  And then the sun breaks through.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

shoreline reflection

Did you know Oakland established the first bird sanctuary in the nation?  We are fortunate to be along the migratory path of many species and our waters are filled with hundreds if not thousands of birds during their migratory flights.  Egrets abound in the estuary, at Lake Merritt, and along the East Bay shoreline.  They don't seem particularly bothered by traffic noise or the rumble of a nearby freeway.  Adaptable creatures they are.  This one is poking along the estuary shoreline where remnants of a pier still jut from the water.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Shoreline Park sunset

The air quality has been poor lately and we've had several days where burning in the fireplace has been prohibited.  Ironically, particulates in the air frequently lend themselves to lovely sunsets.  Taken at the Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Park on the estuary.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Weekend Reflection: Middle Shoreline Park

We're back to a dry spell with chilly weather.  At the Middle Shoreline Park in West Oakland, the waters were calm and the low sun cast a golden light.  For more reflections, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

SOOC: shoreline park

After two days of intense wind, the weather has turned mild.  The clear air and late afternoon sun make everything sparkle.  Including the cranes at Shoreline Park in West Oakland.  For more scenes straight out of the camera, visit SOOC.

Skywatch Friday: shoreline grass

Today was a typical summer day in Oakland.  The fog burned off by late morning, the sun shined in a cloudless sky for most of the day, and then the fog returned before sunset.  The shoreline grass along the estuary has turned a wonderful golden color, which seems that much richer against the blue sky.  The sunlight made the water sparkle.  In short, it was a beautiful day.  For views of other skies around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

Sunday Bridge Series: MLK Shoreline Park

This was taken at MLK Shoreline Park in East Oakland.  This bridge crosses a slough that branches off the estuary.  Nesting herons can be found nearby.  Do you think this child needs safety instructions about about how to safely cross a bridge?  For more shots of bridges, visit «Louis'» Sunday Bridge meme.

This is an automated post.  I'll  be traveling and probably won't have much access to computers to comment on your blogs.  See you October 1.

Sunday Bridge Series: MLK Shoreline Park

This shoreline near the airport demonstrates the curative powers of a restored marshland.  It is a beautiful place to walk or have a picnic.  This walkway allows you a close-up look at the marsh ecology.  Quiet despite the nearby freeway, the nesting terns and ground squirrels couldn't be happier.  For views of other bridges, visit «Louis'» meme Sunday Bridge Series.

Skywatch Friday: along the shoreline

Another view of the MLK shoreline park.  Taken in the afternoon before the fog came in.  For more Skywatch photos, visit Skywatch Friday.

sky lights

Walking the shoreline is always interesting.  I remembered to look up and this time paid attention to the container yard lights.  The design looks like something out of the Jetsons.  I think they look like hovering scouts from the Mother Ship. 

Weekend Reflection: Shoreline Park looking east

Today started out foggy and muggy.  By this afternoon all the fog and clouds finally disappeared.  A walk along the shoreline presented lovely views with downtown and the Oakland hills in the distance.  The air was calm and the quiet water reflected the pier.  It's starting to feel like summer might actually arrive.    For more reflections from around the globe, stroll over to James' meme Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday: Port of Oakland

This shot was taken at Shoreline Park where the Estuary meets the Bay.  We're looking southeast, with the Oakland Hills in the far background.  The Port of Oakland is huge.  Larger and larger cranes are being brought in to handle the container traffic.  Last year they brought in the largest crane ever to help lift a piece of the new section (Oakland side) of the Bay Bridge.  This construction is finally replacing the side of the bridge deemed unsafe after the 1989 earthquake.  (Best not to rush into anything, right?).  The latest rain storm has passed and we are expecting a few days of dry, pleasant weather.

Theme Day: Red

At the end of Shoreline Park is a short pier jutting out into the bay. It seems to have been designed specifically for fishing.  This photo was taken from that spot yesterday.  This is the Oakland Bay Bridge, built in less that 4 years and inaugurated in 1936.  It is a double deck bridge with SF bound traffic on the top level.  The better known Golden Gate Bridge was completed seven months later.  Both are engineering marvels.  A fascinating account of the construction of both bridges can be found in High Steel published in 1979.  For more theme day photos Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Ol' 7654

Found near Shoreline Park in west Oakland.