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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kibet" data-source="post: 3496035" data-attributes="member: 126488">Day 17 Sunday 4th DecemberFort Mason Community GardenI had a decision to make; my flight was not until the afternoon, so I had 5 hours before I needed to head to the airport. I was trying to decide between taking part in one final GGAS walk at the Golden Gate Botanical Garden, where I would be with a group, a good number of eyes and local knowledge, Or I could go back to the Magical Fort Mason Community Garden. As you can tell from the title, I chose the latter and hoped that I made the correct decision. Pygmy Nuthatch were active on a wire-brush tree as I fumbled for my camera as I quickly set up. Starting in the garden with Fox, White-crowned Sparrows, Cal Tows, Yellow-Rumped, House Finch, Lesser Gold Finch and Starlings, it showed that the Garden would be active as normal.  Then the number of particular species became incredible, with over 100 Red-Masked Parakeets in a Eucalyptus tree, about 70 Brown Pelican flying over, both of which were eclipsed when over 500 DC Cormorants came over in vees of 30. Then I managed to get a picture of the elusive Bullock’s Oriole, and then was able to put the other photographer on it, who seemed intent to chase it around the garden. The Oriole overwinters in the Garden with so much to eat all year. Orange Crowned Warbler, and Say’s Phoebe came into the garden. We were also able to find the White-Throated Sparrow, although the Clay’s Sparrow that was seen a couple of days ago did not appear to be around. The resident Red-Tailed Hawk came and perched on the lower branches of a Eucalyptus tree. The Bullock’s Oriole then came back, followed by a Cooper’s Hawk chased into a tree by crows.Moving out the Garden, more Pygmy Nuthatches, American Robin and Cedar Waxwings were seen in the trees by the aquatic park lookout point. A Western Grebe was seen in the Aquatic park itself. The final bird of the day, and what a bird to finish not only the day on, but my two weeks of birding on, was at the General’s House. In a palm tree sat two Great-Horned Owls. After several pictures, I headed back to the hotel, getting the shuttle and heading to the airport.What a fantastic end to a fantastic trip!</blockquote>

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