I checked out the Smith and Bybee Lakes marsh yesterday. It is the largest protected wetland within a major metropolitan area in the US.
A highlight was a spotted towhee. I watched a gull make a spectacular mid-flight reversal followed by plucking a fish out of the water. I watched the little ruby-crowned kinglets hunting for bugs. A male kinglet had his ruby crown hidden so it was just a little band. In the nonbreeding season this crown becomes a liability and is tucked away.
I took a photo of my binoculars, backpack and grape Gatorade because they struck me as so familiar. I will always be happy with a few simple things: a nature trail, a pair of binoculars and a backpack with various contingencies such as mixed nuts and water.
UPDATE 12 Mar 2019: I forgot to mention something else that makes this place special: the no dogs policy. There is a very straightforward and informative sign at the entrance explaining why. Basically, wildlife is less disturbed and people can get closer to animal life with no dogs, even leashed ones. I am very glad about this rule.
pseudoisaac 