ALAMEDA SHORELINE - COOL BIRDS   ALAMEDA SHORELINE - COOL BIRDS  Today as I walked along the Alameda Shoreline with the Alameda Walks group I spotted two cool looking birds.  At least I think they are cool and maybe you will too after you see them.   The Black Oystercatcher's most distinguishing characteristic is its orange-red bill.  You can spot the oystercatcher it a mile away because of its bill.  The bill serves a purposed.  It is flattened and can wedge between rocks to pry mollusk shells open.  They also use the bill to siphon worms and crabs out of the sand.  Black Oystercatchers reside on the Pacific Coast rocky shores from Alaska to Baja California.   BLACK OYSTERCATCHER ON THE ALAMEDA ROCKY SHORELINE   The other cool bird I saw today was the Black Turnstone.  They are in the... 10/01/2011

  ALAMEDA WALKS - LONGFELLOW TO BALLENA ISLE   ALAMEDA WALKS - LONGFELLOW TO BALLENA ISLE  The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department sponsors ALAMEDA WALKS, a program started in 2003 which meets three Saturdays a month during the summer and fall.  According to Patrick Russi, Recreation Supervisor, the goal of Alameda Walks was to get people out of their homes on Saturday mornings for a little exercise and a chance to learn a little about the city of Alameda.   Alameda Walks - Longfellow to Ballena Isle walk group will meet at the Longfellow Educational Center at 500 Pacific Avenue  on October 1 at 9am.  Patrick Russi will be the leader.   BALLENA BAY ISLE   So, put on your walking shoes and join the group for an enjoyable one hour walk and some pleasant conversation.   ********** Alam... 09/28/2011