Bobcat by Cleve Nash

Bobcat by Cleve Nash

Snowy Egrets by Alan Schmierer

Goats and Dogs at Point Buchon
by Jeanie Greensfelder

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

I know. I know. I can hear it now. "An article about the starling?" you ask, the icy contempt dripping from your voice.  You mean just because it's an aggressive, invasive, introduced bird, that's out-competing native species for nesting cavities, causes great damages to farm fields, disrupts air travel, and is considered  by some to be America's greatest pest? Well, it is all that, but in my (feeble) defense, the starling is here to stay, and it turns out it's quite the intelligent and interesting bird. Read More

Coastland Contemplations by Michele Oksen

Years ago it was customary that my parents, brother, and I venture into the heart of the Santa Lucia Mountains to our property, select, and harvest the perfect Christmas tree. Of course, nowadays we buy a live tree and plant it after the holidays, but back in the 1960's we had a different tradition. Somewhere to the side of the truck trail, usually on the uphill slope, we'd see an appropriate sized Coulter pine, cut it down, strap it onto the top of the station wagon, and haul it home. Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

What's Underfoot? Soils!  Have you ever heard the term "Baywood Fine Sand?"  It's the name of the predominant soil in Los Osos, as well as in the Elfin Forest.  It's what you walk on when the pavement ends because all of Los Osos was once a series of sand dunes.  Soil scientist Jim Brownell will describe local soils and talk about how important soils are in determining what plants will grow in them.  Read More

Exploring the Coast by Ruth Ann Angus

I know the seasons have changed from summer to winter upon hearing the chatter of the Black Phoebe in my yard. Racing to the window I catch a glimpse of him as he flits from telephone wire to the back fence. My birding guides tell me he is a year-round resident, but for the past 20 years or more a lone Black Phoebe has shown up in my yard midway through fall hanging around throughout the winter and disappearing altogether in spring. Read More

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

The billions of marine life killed by Once Through Cooling (OTC) in PG&E's Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant (DCNPP) is staggering and represents  threats to commercial and sport fisheries, near shore ocean ecosystems, local fishing industries, and coastal economies. Change is necessary at DCNPP for the health of California coastal waters and communities in San Luis Obispo County.  Read More

Sweet Springs Reflections by Holly Sletteland

On Saturday, November 19th Audubon hosted another Open House for the public to review our plans for the new addition to Sweet Springs and to take comments and questions from those in attendance.  It had threatened to rain earlier in the day, but by the afternoon the clouds had parted, giving rays of sunshine a chance to break through.  The event was quite well attended. Read More

Update on the East Sweet Springs Project by Jan Surbey

A (not so) brief background:  In 2008, MCAS was deeded the eight acre parcel now known as "East Sweet Springs" adjacent to the existing Sweet Springs Nature Preserve by the Trust for Public Land.  The State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and the US Department of Fish and Wildlife provided funding for the $2,000,000 purchase.  The intent of purchasing this property and deeding it to MCAS was for MCAS to protect sensitive biological and cultural resources found on site, restore habitat for the benefit of sensitive species, and provide compatible public access. Read More 

Female Elephant Seals in
Dispute Over Space by Kevin Cole

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