Brian Smith's Photos

Back to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens at the end of October, the 70-300mm on the X-T5 and no particular plan beyond a slow wander round. A bit of everything as it turned out — flowers still going, a few birds, and some smaller things I nearly walked straight past.

Flowers, and the Usual Hummingbirds

A maple leaf to start with, catching the light.

Turk’s Cap, or Sleeping Hibiscus, Malvaviscus arboreus — the flowers never quite open, which is rather the point of them.

There’s almost always an Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna, working these beds, and today was no exception.

Begonia formosana, a Vivid Dancer damselfly, Argia vivida, holding still just long enough, and a Lacecap Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla.

A Squirrel and a View

Then the find of the afternoon — a squirrel sat up working its way through a lump of fungi, entirely unbothered by me.

And the reason this garden is worth the climb: the view west, right out to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Birds

An Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus, then a Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, keeping low in the undergrowth, and a Common Raven, Corvus corax, looking down on the lot of us.

Down at the Water

Common Water Striders, Aquarius remigis, skating about on the surface. ISO 12800 in the shade to freeze them, but they’re worth it.

Last of the Light

Grape leaves — Roger’s Red — doing exactly what it’s famous for at this time of year.

A good couple of hours, and proof that late October is a better time here than you’d think.