Bobcat by Cleve Nash

Bobcat by Cleve Nash

Snowy Egrets by Alan Schmierer

Best Breakfast in Town!

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

The Black Rail has been called the most elusive bird in the United States. This sparrow-sized bird of fresh and salt water marshes is very secretive, and prefers to run instead of flying to escape its enemies. It is very vocal though, and many birders have added the Black Rail to their life lists with nighttime forays to Morro Bay, sometimes playing a tape, and listening for their loud KEEK-EEE-DOO call in response. At least birders used to be able to visit Morro Bay for Black Rail. It seems they are now gone.  Read More

Coastland Contemplations by Michele Oksen

Every year around Independence Day we expect some fog on our spectacular SLO coast. Residents and regular summertime visitors know that at times there’s this drippy wet mist that cloaks us and it can be so dense it diminishes the availability of recognizable landmarks. Guideposts seemingly vanish. What rock? Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

Colorful wildflowers are especially abundant in early summer.  July is the end of the blooming season for the lovely blues of wooly star along the 15th Street sand path and the blue spikes on the silver dune lupines of Bush Lupine Point.  Coastal dudleya has tall pinkish stalks capped with yellow flowers rising far above the low gray rosettes of succulent leaves usually growing under other plants. They are blooming prolifically again this year.  Yellow to orange California poppies are still in bloom, as are clumps of golden yarrow.  The bright orange of sticky monkey flowers will continue at least well into August.  In the drier chaparral at the inner and upper end of the boardwalk, chamise is covered with white flower spikes.  Read More

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

Did you know that all those scenic rocks off the California Coast are part of a National Monument? The California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) includes more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above mean high tide within a corridor of 12 nautical miles (13.8 land miles) from the mainland along the entire California coastline, from Mexico to Oregon, 1,100 miles. In fact, this national monument is perhaps the most viewed, but least recognized national monument. Read More

Ocean Creatures by Carol Georgi

California Central Coast Kelp Forest DVD of our Ocean Creatures

The California Central Coast kelp forest is one of the most diverse places in the world and one of the least explored. Terry Lilley and Sue Sloan explore the undersea world of the kelp forests off California's Central Coast, filming a world of surprising beauty, color and diversity. Diving over 1000 times from kayaks, Lilley (marine biologist and former pro-surfer) and his assistant Sloan introduce us to the rich marine life of the kelp ecosystem. Watching this film, we easily see why these ecosystems, rarely found in Southern California, need to be protected by a national marine sanctuary. Read More

Sweet Springs Reflections by Holly Sletteland

This has been quite the month for sightings of young wildlife at the preserve.  The word has definitely gotten out about the Great Horned owlets that hatched this spring.  People have been showing up on a pretty regular basis with cameras, scopes, and binoculars asking where they can find the owls.   Fortunately, the owls don't seem too concerned about all of the commotion, although I do urge people to stay on the trail and remember their birding etiquette during their observations.  We have received a number of complaints about people leaving the trail and getting much too close to the owls.  They probably won't nest there again if they feel threatened.  We should all heed the advice of the American Birding Association (ABA) suggesting that "Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first."  Read More

 

 

Female Elephant Seals in
Dispute Over Space by Kevin Cole

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Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash