For those of you with little ones in the train stage, this is a fun one! The Outback Express Adventure Train at the Oakland Zoo takes passengers on a tour of wild Australia, where you may see emus and wallaroos. Enjoy! Interested in going? You’ll find the train station within the rides area, out frontContinue reading “Outback Express Adventure Train: Oakland Zoo”
Category Archives: Animal Fun
Lake Chabot: Bunny
Photo taken August 3rd, 2013 West Shore Trail, Lake Chabot Regional Park
Animal Fun! Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Hayward
I’ve been wanting to write about the Sulphur Creek Nature Center for a long time now. When my son was two and three, we visited the center regularly for their awesome toddler wildlife classes (for 1-3 year-olds). I found it was the best place in the San Francisco East Bay to give my son hands-onContinue reading “Animal Fun! Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Hayward”
Goats! Harley Farms, Pescadero
I have a weakness for goat cheese, so as soon as I heard about Harley Farms Goat Dairy in Pescadero (and their award-winning goat cheese), I added the farm to our “must-visit” list. After our visit this past week, I’m glad we did… and we’ll definitely be going back! During this trip, we simply walkedContinue reading “Goats! Harley Farms, Pescadero”
Squirrel: On the Screen Door
I keep moving our bird feeder around our backyard, trying to find a location where the squirrels cannot attack it from. I’m failing. I’ve moved it so the squirrels cannot jump from the fence, but now they simply climb the backyard screen door and leap from there. As you can see, the brave little critterContinue reading “Squirrel: On the Screen Door”
Ladybug: On the Beach
Photos taken April 20th, 2013 Stinson Beach, California *** Like ladybugs? Check out this post… Ladybug Clusters: Redwood Regional Park
Milkweed: Caterpillar
It this actually a caterpillar crawling up the stem of a milkweed I planted in our backyard? It’s only about a half a centimeter long. But is it a butterfly or a moth? We planted the milkweeds to attract butterflies…. Photos taken April 11th, 2013
Llamas: Redwood Regional Park
Ever wanted to learn how to groom, feed, lead, and interact with llamas?? You can take a class through East Bay Regional Parks and take a walk through the redwoods. During our bike ride earlier this week (Kid Bike Ride: Redwood Regional Park), the kids stopped to watch this, a line of people walking withContinue reading “Llamas: Redwood Regional Park”
Turtles: Japanese Garden, Hayward
A great place to see turtles! Japanese Garden, Hayward Photos taken February 24th, 2013
Beautiful Butterflies: California Academy of Sciences
Photos taken January 29th, 2013 Rainforests of the World California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Silent Saturday: Explore! California Academy of Sciences
Photos taken January 29th, 2013 California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Also see… The Living Roof: California Academy of Sciences
Ladybug Clusters: Redwood Regional Park
Photos taken January 27th, 2013 Redwood Regional Park, Oakland Interested in going? The ladybugs cluster at Redwood Regional Park between November and February. You’ll find them at the intersection of the Stream and Prince Trails. Look on, around, and behind the bench, as well as across the trail, near (and on) the sign. You canContinue reading “Ladybug Clusters: Redwood Regional Park”
Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013
As I sit here at my computer with the backdoor open to allow some fresh air into our home, I’m listening to the lovely sound of frogsong. The chorus is coming from the creek on the other side of our backyard fence. Up until today, we’ve only been hearing one frog at a time. Suddenly,Continue reading “Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013”
Backyard Wildlife: Neighborhood Squirrel
Happy Sunday! Our Neighborhood Squirrel Photos taken January 19th, 2013
Sleepy tiger + discount to the Oakland Zoo
During our Christmas Eve visit to the zoo, we mostly ran around and played, but we did check out a few animals along the way. We enjoyed watching this beautiful tiger napping (and waking up) in the warm afternoon sunshine. For anyone in the Bay Area who may be interested, I noticed this morning thatContinue reading “Sleepy tiger + discount to the Oakland Zoo”
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, located in Santa Cruz on the bluffs above the Monterey Bay, is a true gem. Don’t expect the grandeur of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but be prepared for a smaller, quieter, more intimate experience here. The location is phenomenal. On a clear day, the views can’t be beat. Inside theContinue reading “Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz”
Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
When the tide is low, head out to the rocky, north end of Natural Bridges State Beach to explore the tide pools. Look for sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and more. So fun! For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach, visit the California State Parks website… http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541 If you’re here betweenContinue reading “Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Within Natural Bridges State Beach, in Santa Cruz, you’ll find the Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, a grove of eucalyptus trees where thousands of Monarch Butterflies spend the winter each year. The butterflies may be viewed by taking a short 0.75 mile Monarch Trail loop through the Preserve, or by simply taking the short, wheel-chair accessibleContinue reading “Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley
The Tilden Little Farm, located within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, is a favorite destination for just about every little kid I know. For over a week now, my five-year-old has been begging me to take him there to feed the animals, so we headed over today. Here’s a little history of the Farm, fromContinue reading “Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley”
Boo at the Zoo, 2012
Yesterday we attended the annual Boo at the Zoo event at the Oakland Zoo. Kids wear their Halloween costumes and participate in a bunch of fun activities. It was a hot day today (back into the 80’s), so I talked my son out of wearing his thick, black ninja costume. The highlight for myContinue reading “Boo at the Zoo, 2012”
Suburban Nature Explorations 