An unidentified shore bird (tern perhaps?) searches for food inside one of the marsh areas near the Marsh Creek Trail in Oakley. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

Ducks, geese and other migratory birds call Oakley home during the winter months. Here we have a gaggle of Canada geese swimming on what would appear to be a calm lake. Surprise! It's a retention pond at the Oakley Sanitary District, which sits at the Marsh Creek Trail entrance. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

The Napa valley is well known for its beautiful yellow blooms of wild mustard. You can find those flowers in Oakley as well, if you head out along the Delta in February. This shot looks northeast over the Delta from the Marsh Creek Trail. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

Here is the trail's namesake body of water, Marsh Creek, which passes under a trail bridge. We are looking toward Jersey Island and one of the several grape vineyards that are becoming the popular crop in these parts. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

No, this isn't a view from the Marsh Creek Trail, but it sure is pretty! This shot of snow-covered Mount Diablo was taken from Empire Road, looking west across a vineyard and the former Southern Pacific railroad tracks. The snow level doesn't normally get this low, but a cold Pacific storm helped give a nice frosted look to our landmark mountain. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

And here's another shot of Mount D., taken from Carpenter Road on Feb. 13, 2001. Love those grape vineyards. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

Sinks overflowing? Dishwasher just won't get the silverware clean? Perhaps your pipes are clogged. And we always thought that cats don't like water. Hah! This one apparently has no fear, or just doesn't realize the true purpose of his hideout. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

Here we are looking south along Marsh Creek after crossing Laurel Road. Small rock dams are spaced every few yards all along the creek, apparently in an effort to slow the flow of the current. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

What we have here is a cliché, but one that represents the changing face of Oakley nonetheless. In the distance you see Mount Diablo. In the foreground, new houses rise out of what was formerly a sandly field at the edge of Marsh Creek. Soon, you won't be able to see the mountain from this location. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

This is what happens when the houses come up to the edge of the trail. Marsh Creek has been reduced to a flood control channel between Cypress and Laurel roads. Granted, there is still plenty of beauty along the banks. If you look carefully at the larger version of this photo you will see the egret in flight about center frame. Photo by Roni Gehlke.

Back on the Marsh Creek Trail, we get the view looking East. Trees and berry bushes are to the left, a cow pasture to the right, and nothing but open space in front of us. Such beauty is not easily found in suburbia these days. It's nice to know there is still some country left in the "country." Photo by Glenn Gehlke.