There were park closure warnings posted on the Los Gatos Creek Trail recently, advising walkers, runners and bicyclists like myself that the risk of tree falls and mudslides will remain in effect for the next few days. There were barricades along the trail to indicate flooded areas. Yesterday was a great day for a bike ride. It was cold to be sure but the sun was out to take the edge off the the 40 degrees temperature. There were still barricades and detour signs and there was debris everywhere. After years of severe draught, Mother Nature is making up for it all in one go. I always wondered where all the birds go during heavy rains? Well, it depends on the type of bird. Some of the larger seabirds like gulls and pelicans are capable of riding out of a storm by flying out of a storm’s path. Land birds take shelter in bushes and trees. For some birds like ducks, heavy rain is an opportunity. Flooded fields provide new territory for them to search out lots of insect larvae and worms that come to the surface to eat. Then there are insects that come out to dry themselves are easy pickings for birds. Birds will begin to sing, an indication the weather has improved and a bountiful feast is at hand. I spotted cormorants, a white swan, an egret and a multitude of ducks. The creek beds were filled and spillway from the reservoir had opened further to allow more water to flow downstream. What I have learned from birds is to be accepting of the storms [short of being catastrophic], singing in the middle of it, and grasping the reality of the feast that is to come our way.
Postscript: Though I didn’t ride with my friend Bill who was visiting family in Ohio, I bumped into him along the way as he was returning from his ride and I was just beginning mine (photo), we had a roadside chat just off the trail.
