Photo by Cleve Nash:            Bobcat

Photo by Cleve Nash:              Bobcat

Photo by Alan Schmierer:    
Snowy Egrets

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

If you think that birders have a nerdy stereotype . . . you know, old men wearing plaid shorts with black socks, half glasses and binoculars hanging on our neck, notebooks and field guides hanging from our belt loops. . . you should hear us in the field. A group of birders hissing, squeaking, and hooting on a bird walk does not help dispel that bird nerd image. This month we will talk about pishing, or the art of attracting birds.  Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

Geology Walk:  Take a journey through time with Jeff Grover, Cuesta College Geology instructor.  Jeff will focus on the geologic history of the Morro Bay area from the formation of the ancient morros, or Seven Sisters, to the recent development of the dunes that form the Elfin Forest.  He may even give us a glimpse of what the Elfin Forest and Morro Bay will be like in the geologic future.  Jeff brings rock samples and draws diagrams of local geologic action.  Join us for a lively and informative walk and talk. Read More 

Eye on the Estuary by the Morro Bay National Estuary Program

Whether slogging through the mud to study eelgrass beds, collecting data on local creeks, or a variety of other tasks around the Morro Bay estuary and its watershed, the volunteers of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program's monitoring program are a dedicated group. These volunteers come from many walks of life, but whether student or retiree, they make an important contribution to help protect a valuable resource. Read More

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

Having the best possible water quality needs to be our community goal as we rely on a healthy ocean and streams for recreation and food supply. Water quality in Morro Bay and other coastal communities is increasingly threatened by pollution from excessive man-made nutrients and other contaminants from farm and urban runoff and wastewater, as reported by the San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance (SLOSEA). Read More

Nature's Voice by Michele Oksen

Oh joy. The shortest days of the year are here. Unfortunately for many people this bums us out, especially since this occurs right when we're expected to be merry. Personally, short daylight hours make me feel more like a bear than a bearer of gifts. Sometimes I truly wish hibernation was an option. Read More

Ocean Creatures by Carol Georgi

The arrow goby is a small bottom-dwelling fish common year-round to the tidelands in the Morro Bay National Estuary, as well as other estuaries, lagoons and tidal sloughs. Swimming in shallow water and then borrowing into mud and sand when the tide retreats, this little 2-inch fish is important food for several types of fish like rock fish, sculpin and greenling. Some birds that eat arrow gobies include terns, knigfishers, and great herons.  Read More

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

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