Baylands Nature Preserve (Sunset, Full Moon) 2015-08-29

We were back at Baylands Nature Preserve after a long break. Our previous hike here was in February and our hike today was a proper subset of what we did then. So, why did this hike merit a new blog entry rather than an update to my earlier post? Well, our walk today was one of a kind! A sunset walk in the preserve that overlapped with a full moon rise on what was a perfect blue sky summer evening and an opportunity to see wonderful birds by the bay definitely deserves a mention of its own.

Sunset today was at 7:41 pm. Apollo and I started our hike around 7 pm. The walk in Adobe Creek trail was familiar, except the setting was different. The sun was in the western horizon and the shadows were lengthening as we walked by the Baylands preserve. 

It was low tide when we walked and there were plenty of shore birds, especially American Avocets & Marbled Godwits in Charleston slough. On the other side of slough, by the wetlands called soap pond, I saw the largest gathering of American White Pelicans. The birds were seriously grooming themselves with several shorebirds and mallards giving them company.  

As the sun started setting, the sky was filled with an orange hue, providing a picturesque setting for the walk. Apollo was a willing model to pose for several pictures in the unique light setting drawing envious admiration from passers by!

After the sun had gone down, the next several minutes featured a fading deep red hue on the western horizon and light orange hue against the mountains on the eastern side. We had walked about 2 miles into the preserve by Adobe Creek trail and I decided to turn around rather than attempt a loop in the fading light.

If the breathtaking sunset was not enough, Aug 29th was a full moon day and the moon rise was at 7:42 pm, a minute after the sunset! Sure enough, over the next few minutes with the sunlight not fully gone, the full moon was breaking through the clouds on the eastern horizon. 

Slowly but surely, the moon was filling up the sky with its reflection showing up in the muddy waters of Charleston slough. Its not often one gets to see a full moon rise right after the sunset. Adobe Creek trail by full moon light took on a completely different look by 8:15 pm, painted by a dark blue hue in the ground, bright light of the moon on the sky against the backdrop of east bay city lights coming on.

By the time we reached the car at 8:30 pm, the moon was well up in the sky casting shadows with its light! We just did about 4 miles today focusing more on the scenery around us and taking in the beauty of the moment. 

I'd encourage you to check out the pictures from the evening.
#Hiking #HikingWithDogs #BaylandsPaloAlto #BaylandsNaturePreserve #AdobeCreekTrail #FullMoonHike #SunSetHike #SFBayTrail