Wild life

There is a tiny little park in San Francisco, told to me about natives for the view and canoodling privacy at night, that is easy to miss.

In fact, it sorta doesnt exist, but does. Its a park. Really. It appears on maps.
It has no name, it doesnt have a park bench, and its kinda 'rugged'.

Scruffy, even.

It also has one of the most amazing unimpeded views of the bay, Alcatraz in the center of the view, part of the Golden Gate to left, Berkeley and the Bay Bridge to the right. I WILL come back to for a panoramic project.

Even if you know where it is, you might just walk by and through it, drawn to the other attractions around it.

But, here's the thing that had me grinning from ear-to-ear.

The hummingbirds. Ive never seen hummingbirds at play before.

The steep hill above the park is an over-grown bramble of bushes and wild-flowers and trees, poorly kept.

And thats where, if you keep still and wait, you'll see the hummingbirds frolicking.

Here's what they do...

They will swoop up, down and sideways to a hover, and then, with their amazing power-to-weight ratio (sorry, hot-rod geek speak), climb vertically STRAIGHT up.

Think like 200 feet in seconds. And there they will hover.

Then they stop flapping.

Wings closed and tucked, they then DIVE, beak first,looking like theyre scaring themselves half to death, and enjoying it, and then at last moment flick their wings out and scream into level flight, zooming past at 'ground' level.

I didnt know they were such accomplished aerobats.

I think I stood there on the stops above the 'park' for a good half hour watching doing this.

Add this to the view, it was kinda intoxicating.

*sigh* I hate to give up the location the secret garden, but it is surprisingly accessible if you know where to go.

Aright. Bay Street. Behind Ghiradelli Square, Larkin going straight up.

It is BEHIND the little patch of green park, up the steep steps, sort of a short cut to the heights of Russian Hill.

Halfway up the steps, turn around and enjoy the view.
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"It's gotten so that people come here just to see the sea lions," Bell said. "I have lots of people say this is better than anything they've seen or done in San Francisco. And if they're not here, like in July, people actually get really upset, as if we control what they do."

Among the Dragon male's other character traits, mention must be made of his irascible temperament.

During his fits of boil he really recalls his symbolic animal - a Dragon belching out long flames. One would be prudent in such moments to avoid him and keep precious or fragile objects out of his reach. But his fury will fade away exactly as it came - rapidly, unexpectedly - without leaving any shade of rancor in its trail.

- Master Rao's Astrology

I was *pissed*.

For something that was beyond my control AND none of my business, my heated state seemed all the more irrational.

I marched to the little booth, went to the volunteer and demanded:

"WHERE are the Sea Lions?"

I was mad for the harbor by Pier 39 was empty of seals and instead, full of the boats of money-grubbing tour operators. I was SURE an injustice had been done.

They had driven away the famed sea-lions of Pier 39!!!

The volunteer, slightly taken aback, replied..

"Theyre all gone. It's mating season. Theyve migrated south."

The look on my face told him I didnt believe him, so he pointed to a map..

"You know where Santa Barbara is? There are some islands off the coast where theyve gone to mate. They go during July. The males will not eat as they secure their piece of the beach and collect their harems."

Oh.

Still, it was disconterting. No sea-lions at Pier 39. It seemed .. empty.. even though the crowds were there looking out at the empty floating mats that they usually crowd onto.

"Oh, they'll be back, smelling up the place, making all kinds of noise as usual, in August."

Oh. Ok.

But I'll be back to check.