Hi, I’m Michael.
I want to thank my daughter Danielle and her man Ben for encouraging me to share this content. To know is to love, to love is to appreciate, in appreciation lifes beauty and wonders I realize the value of sharing these blessings. I hope visitors to this site find something worth their time and are inspired to look up and wonder. What native wild nature lives in my neighborhood? (especially Alessandra and Clara)
Wild Niles, California
As long as I can remember predatory birds have fascinated me. When I was a punk kid my dad’s longest running “dad joke” was to call every bird I pointed out a Turkey Vulture, but I kept looking up and asking anyway. Later in life, maybe 20 years ago I started taking “stay healthy” walks through my Niles neighborhood park along Alameda Creek called Quarry Lakes. I noticed predatory birds were my neighbors just steps from my front door so I decided to start photographing my lucky sightings. The best of my Wild Niles neighborhood journeys, and other lucky encounters, will be shared on this site. Included among my “Wild Niles” neighbors are the Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Osprey, White Tailed Kite, Burrowing Owl, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Harrier, Kingfisher, and yes, my dad’s Turkey Vulture.
UNLIKELY HEROES
Just outside my front door in my “Wild Niles” neighborhood native natures struggle for survival between predator and prey plays out every day. On this day of my hunt for sightings of one of my Wild Niles neighbors, as I approached the Lago Los Osos overlook (Quarry Lakes) off Alameda Creek, I witnessed the struggle of Bald Eagle to get food outmatched by lone Mallard’s struggle to not be food. To top it off the story has unexpected heroes, a pair of Canada Geese.
The predator circled and dove attempting to snatch its prey, over and over, from different directions. Flying right above me I could see Bald Eagle’s focus on it’s target. With each approach the hunter reached out, wings open, legs outstretched, talons grabbing into the water. Anticipating each attack the hunted dove under the water at just the right time to avoid capture. Submerging too early meant resurfacing right into the talons. Dive too late and it would be an easy grab. On one pass lone Mallard’s timing was off and Bald Eagle reached into the water and came up with feathers (in the title pic of Bald Eagle you can see talons gripping a lone Mallard feather “trophy” while circling for another attempt). The injured lone Mallard prevailed and Bald Eagle was denied the meal. During the entire episode the two Canada Geese never left lone Mallard. They did not retreat or take flight. They held ground by staying close, kept full attention on the unfolding life or death drama and vocalized while flapping their wings. Bald Eagle finally tired, retreated to a tree overlooking Lago Los Osos to reflect on the battlefield of frustration. The Canada Geese escorted lone Mallard to the safety of shrubs along the lakes edge, right under Bald Eagles “nose”.
In the natural world of predator and prey, that overlaps with our human world, there is no judgement of good or bad, right or wrong. It is just the way of nature. But from this encounter with my Wild Niles neighbors, I find myself questioning whether when Canada Geese put themselves in harms way, against survival instincts, to protect lone Mallard, there is a conclusion that is inescapable. Courage, sacrifice, and facing danger to help others inspires respect and appreciation, perhaps even from a hungry Bald Eagle. Enjoy Wild Niles.
( thank you to courageous Military and first responders, Police, Fire, Medical and all who sacrifice and face danger for others)
Full Moon Rise over Wild Niles, Ca.
Wednesday eve December 7th, 2022 I went to Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes to take pics of the full moon rising over Wild Niles. When setting up my camera before sunset I noticed the downtown Niles American flag was at half mast (pic 1). It was in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. After sunset, as the full moon rose so did the flag to full mast (pic 2). In pic 3 with the Union Pacific Engine 1097 Mars is barely visible below and to the left of Bella Luna. Pic 4 shows the scene including Lago Los Osos in the foreground. Honoring the past, appreciating the present, looking to the future. (appreciating that freedom is not free)
The Eucalyptus Perch
Sweet, Sweeter, and Sweetest
The following may be a factor why Fremont, Ca. is ranked 2025 happiest city in the USA.
When it comes to places where the native natural world and the human world overlap in a relatively healthy balance the Niles district of Fremont, Ca. is a sweet spot. The neighborhood is surrounded by
-The undeveloped East Bay foothills, bright emerald green in late winter and spring, golden brown in summer and fall.
-Niles Canyon, a Sycamore and Oak Riparian Forest whose life source is Alameda Creek.
-Alameda Creek, an antecedent perennial stream carrying relatively clean water from over 600 square miles of watershed (from Mt Diablo to Mt Hamilton to the Altamont pass) through Niles Canyon and Niles on its way to the San Francisco Bay.
Niles ponds and Quarry lakes which are filled by Alameda Creek.
Even sweeter is Lago Los Osos, a protected lake in our neighborhood East Bay Regional Park. Thoughtfully created from gravel pits Quarry Lakes has varied habitats including lakes, wooded areas, a slough and a meadow providing fertile ground for our wild Niles neighbors to thrive.
The sweetest spot, where I have encountered the most variety of Wild Niles neighbors up close, is “The Eucalyptus Perch”. Between Alameda Creek and Lago Los Osos, three hundred steps upstream from Sequoia bridge, standing among a grove of Oak and Pine trees is a Eucalyptus tree with the top fifteen feet being deadwood on two main branches. It provides an ideal perch view of the lake and the creek for our wild winged neighbors. Throughout the gallery are pics of our Wild Niles neighbors on the Eucalyptus perch.
Wild Niles is all about connecting with nature. Please enjoy this silhouette series of Bald Eagle connecting with The Eucalyptus Perch.
ENJOY WILD NILES, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Grey Ghost (Male Northern Harrier), Coyote Hills
WILD AMERICA, Lago Los Osos, Niles Ca.
Bald Eagle, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes, Niles California
Peregrine Falcon 57 Z, The Eucalyptus Perch between Alameda Creek, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Male Northern Harrier, San Francisco Bay near Alameda Creek, Coyote Hills
Red-Taiedl Hawk, Alameda Creek Coyote Hills
Red-Tailed Hawk, Mouth of Alameda Creek, San Francisco Bay
Red Shouldered Hawk, Quarry Lakes, Niles Ca.
Golden Eagle, Coyote Hills
young Cooper's Hawk, Alameda Creek, Niles Ca
Golden Eagle, Coyote Hills
green glow Grey Ghost, Coyote Hills in spring
Red-Tailed Hawk, mouth of Alameda Creek and San Francisco Bay
Red-Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Bald Eagle, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Cooper's Hawk, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Red-Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Whit Tailed Kites, Alameda Creek, Coyote Hills
White Tailed Kites, Alameda Creek, Coyote Hills
Red Shouldered Hawk, Quarry Lakes
American Kestrel, Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
American Kestrel, Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
Red Shouldered Hawk, Alameda Creek
Osprey with Trout chased by American White Pelican, Quarry Lakes
American Kestrel, Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
Burrowing Owl, Quarry Lakes, Pellarin Fruit Orchard
Burrowing Owl, Quarry Lakes Pellarin Fruit Orchard
Peregrine Falcon, The Eucalyptus Perch, Lago Los Osos and Alameda Creek
White Tailed Kites with nictitating membrane blink, Alameda Creek and Coyote Hills
Pair of Bald Eagles, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Female Northern Harrier, Alameda Creek and Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Grey Ghost (Northern Harrier), Coyote Hills
Bald Eagle on the San Francisco Bay off Bayshore trail near No Name Trail, Coyote Hills
Clara was with us when we watched this Red Tailed Hawk eat lunch next to Shinn Pond, Alameda Creek, Niles Ca.
Why are these Coots in such a tight grouping on Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes? next pic>
Because there is a Bald Eagle in the area. Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hils
Bald Eagle being harassed by passing shore bird, San Francisco Bay, Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Female Northern Harrier, Coyote Hills
Bald Eagle pair, The Eucalyptus Perch, Alameda Creek over Lago Los Osos
Bald Eagle,The Eucalyptus Perch, Alameda Creek at Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle Pair, The Eucalyptus Perch, Alameda Creek at Lago LOs Osos, Quarry Lakes
Merlin Pair at Lago Los Osos and Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
Male Merlin, Lago Los Osos, Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
Female Merlin, Lago Los Osos,, Alameda Creek, Quarry Lakes
Chilean Flamingo "Fernando" with San Francisco from Coyote Hills
Bald Eagle Snatch Lago LOs Osos, Quarry Lakes
Pair of Red Tailed Hawks, Horseshoe Lake, Quarry Lakes
Pair of Red Tailed Hawks. Horseshoe Lake, Quarry Lakes
Barn Owl, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Barn Owl over Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
young Peregrine Falcon, The Eucalyptus Perch, Alameda Creek over Lago Los Osos
If everyone is talking who is listening? Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Red Tailed Hawk over East Bay foothill, Niles Ca.
American White Pelicans cross the Niles Sign
Kingfisher, Quarry Lakes
Kingfisher, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle, The Eucalyptus Perch, Lago Los Osos, Alameda Creek
Red Tailed Hawk lunch, Quarry Lakes
Female Northern Harrier, mouth of Alameda creek Coyote Hills
Bald Eagles tangle, Coyote Hills
Bald Eagles tangle, Coyote Hills
immature and mature Bald Eagles, Coyote Hills
Grey Ghost, bayshore Coyote Hills
Grey Ghost, bayshore Coyote Hills
unafraid Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk over the marsh Coyote Hills
Red Tailed Hawk, lunch Alameda Creek
Red Tailed Hawk, Coyote Hills
Pair of perching White Tailed Kites, Alameda Creek
Grey Ghost, bayshore Coyote Hills
wet Osprey lunch, The Eucalyptus Perch, Alameda Creek above Lago Los Osos
Osprey lunch, The Eucalyptus Perch Alameda Creek at Lago los Osos
Osprey lunch, The Eucalyptus Perch Alameda Creek at Lago Los Osos
Osprey lunch with Mission Peak, The Eucalyptus Perch Alameda Creek over Lago Los Osos
Red Tailed Hawk, Quarry Lakes
immature Bald Eagle over Lago los Osos Quarry Lakes
Cooper's Hawk Lago Los Osos Quarry Lakes
Cooper's Hawk, Lago Los Osos Quarry Lakes
Cooper's Hawk on the hunt, Lago los Osos Quarry Lakes
Cooper's Hawk on the hunt, Lago los Osos Quarry Lakes
Nesting Red Shouldered Hawk, my neighbors Palm tree Wild Niles
Red Shouldered Hawk with annoying shadow, Lago los Osos Quarry Lakes
Red Tailed Hawk lunch, visitor parking lot, Coyote Hills Thanks Ted
Red Tailed Hawk lunch, Coyote Hills parking lot
Red Tailed Hawk, Crow interrupted lunch, Coyote Hills
Jack and I spotted this Red Shouldered Hawk, Alameda Creek, Niles
Red Shouldered Hawk, Alameda Creek, Niles
The Niles pair of Bald Eagles, Lago Los Osos, Quarry lLakes
Green Heron, Willow Slough, Quarry Lakes, Niles
Side eye Bald Eagle, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Great Horned Owl, nesting above Coyote Hills visitor center. Thanks Dan
Bart Bald Eagle, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle takeoff over Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
pair of White Tailed Kites, "The Meadow", Quarry Lakes
screaming Eagle, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Starling on the Mustard, springtime, Alameda Creek Trail
Great Horned mama Owl guarding the nest, Coyote Hills
The Niles Pair, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
nesting mama Great Horned Owl, Coyote Hills
Green Heron, Willow Slough, Quarry Lakes
American Kestrel, Alameda Creek
Wild Niles
Loving couple, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle take off, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle take off, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Wild Niles
Bloody beak, bloody perch,The Eucalyptus Perch, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Wild Niles fall colors, Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagle Quarry Lakes
Bald Eagles looking over Lago Los Osos, Quarry Lakes
three Whit Tailed Kites, meadow at Quarry Lakes
three White Tailed Kites (with brown chest,) meadow at Quarry Lakes.
One Bald Eagle guarding, one eating a Coot while Turkey Vulture does a fly by, Lago Los Osos Quarry Lakes
San Francisco vies from Coyote Hills
3 bridges view of San Francisco from Coyote Hills
Grey Ghost, San Francisco Bay at Alameda Creek mouth
Grey Ghost, San Francisco Bay at Alameda Creek mouth