Had started out on the outer Bog Trail in San Bruno Mountain Park and was fairly close to the Meadow (picnic area) when this big gorgeous bird appeared out of nowhere at my feet (first pix). It was nibbling at plants along the trail at first.
Spoke to it and took a few pix. Started to move along the trail again when it sorta flew at me and pecked at my leg. Guess it didn’t want its picture taken. Fortunately I wear long pants when hiking and not shorts.
It stayed with me the several yards to the end of the Bog Trail, then crossed with me over the paved Old Guadalupe Trail, flapping its wings and aggressively pecking away the whole time. Sometimes it was in front of me like it was trying to lead me forward. We continued partway into the Meadow this way.
Then it stopped and looked around the Meadow, like maybe it had gone too far, then wandered back into the bushes. Was beginning to wonder if it might want to accompany me on other trails as well. Maybe it was protecting hidden chicks and wanted to escort me well out of the area. Are these guys endangered?
From the Meadow it was onto the Saddle Trail that loops back to the Old Guadalupe Trail close to the Crocker trailhead. There’s a comfy new viewbench at the east edge of this trail (next two pics).
Last foto – from Saddle Trail looking north.
From the SF Museum & Historical Society’s January 6 e-letter: The Second Annual San Francisco History Expo will take place at the Old Mint on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 11 to 4 each day. Admission is free (donations welcome). Attended last year’s; maybe again this year to check out what’s going on with the different ‘hoods.