Photo by Cleve Nash:            Bobcat

Photo by Cleve Nash:              Bobcat

Photo by Alan Schmierer:    
Snowy Egrets

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash

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Coming back into port recently, the commercial fishing boat Diane Susan had a hitchhiker — a Burrowing Owl. It isn't unusual for birds who find themselves far from land to thumb a ride on a friendly vessel. Read More and See Larger Pictures

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

Unlike some birders who have had a passion for the sport from an early age, Maggie started birding at age 62, but has certainly made up for lost time. By her own admission she is somewhat compulsive at her hobbies, loves to learn, and is very competitive. It's no surprise that she has quickly become one of the top birders in the area, with a county list (as of this writing) of 369 birds.  Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

Small Wilderness Area Preservation (SWAP) will have a booth at the South Bay Community Center Craft Fair in Los Osos from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Come chat with our volunteers, view our informative displays, and perhaps purchase our gorgeous El Moro Elfin Forest 2011 Calendar, which features paintings and drawings by excellent local artists and makes a holiday gift for continued enjoyment all year. Read More 

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

Our coastal veiwsheds offer magnificent views and vistas that are enjoyed by millions of visitors. The following are internationally and nationally significant features, some that are seen, and others that are unseen, hidden below the surface in the nearshore environment between Point San Luis and Santa rosa Creek.

*Significant California kelp forests
*Significant portion of the California sea otter range
*World-class fish diversity and densities in rocky intertidal regions
*Morro Bay National Estuary  http://www.mbnep.org/index.php
*Large numbers of pinnipeds,including a significant percentage of harbor seals and sea lions
*Marine life spawning areas and rookeries
*Fish nurseries
*Whale migration lanes and foraging areas
*Chumash archaeological sites continuously occupied between 8,000 and 10,000 or more years.

  Read More

Nature's Voice by Michele Oksen

If you've ever tried eating a raw acorn you might wonder why squirrels, deer, birds, and horses find them so tasty. Yuk. The critters can have them. However, I will say if you're inclined to work really hard for your meal, acorns prepared properly are delightful.

However, I will say if you're inclined to work really hard for your meal, acorns prepared properly are delightful. Read More

Ocean Creatures by Carol Georgi

Rockfish, also known as rock cod or Pacific red snapper, are popular with seafood lovers. One of the longest-living fishes, possibly living to 200 years old, some rockfishes don’t breed until they’re 20 years old, and they have few young—these factors make them very vulnerable to overfishing. "Commercial and recreational rockfish fishing from the 1960s to the 1990s sent several rockfish populations plummeting. In fact, some populations have declined by 98% since 1970 due to overfishing and habitat loss, and few adult fishes are left in some areas off Southern California."   Read More

Photo by Kevin Cole:      
F emale Elephant Seals in
dispute over space .