Jean Wheeler
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Elfin Forest Activities
By Jean Wheeler
When parking near the Elfin Forest while visiting, please avoid blocking driveways or mailboxes.
September 3
The volunteer work party known as the "Weed Warriors" will meet from 9 am to about noon. Anyone is welcome to join in and help pull obnoxious invading weeds and work on projects to reduce erosion. Wear comfortable shoes, long pants and sleeves, and park at the north end of 15th Street in Los Osos.
September 10
You are invited to the first showing and sale of the 20l2 Elfin Forest calendar! This event will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. at the north end of 15th Street in Los Osos directly adjacent to the Elfin Forest trailhead. Parking is available at any of the Elfin Forest street-end entrances.
This year the calendar features the beautiful photographs of 21 very talented San Luis Obispo County photographers. They are: Pat Brown, John Cloninger, Josh Cohen, Scott Glancy, Lee Goyette, Ronnie Goyette, Marlin Harms, Sandy Harris, Gene Kalland, Dave Keeling, K.I.M., Jerry Kirkhart, David Lawrence, Abe Perlstein, Chris Pike, James Radford, Dennis Sheridan, Jean Tolman, Erin Leigh Voss, Jean Wheeler, and David Wolfson. All contributing photographers have been invited to display their original calendar painting and two or three other pieces of their art for both show and purchase. You can buy calendars for $15 each at this event. Every calendar purchased helps to protect the Elfin Forest.
September 17 - Insect Walk
Although we generally see just a few kinds of insects and spiders while walking through the Elfin Forest, there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of different species of arthropods living in the Forest. Local naturalist Al Normandin will search every nook and cranny along the boardwalk for the good, bad, and ugly of these creatures, as well as the pretty late summer butterflies. The importance and ecology of our local insects will be discussed during the walk. Bring a hand lens or close-focusing binoculars if you have them.
Besides docent-led events, visit the Elfin Forest any day to experience the quiet natural beauty of this small wilderness area. Park at the north end of any street from 11th through 17th streets off Santa Ysabel in Los Osos (please avoid blocking driveways or mailboxes) and take a sand path to the boardwalk or the wheel-chair accessible boardwalk entrance at 16th Street.
Dune Buckwheat
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Ducks - as Seen from Sienna's View
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Coming Up in the Elfin Forest
Early birds already arriving to spend their winter enjoying the mild temperatures and abundant food supply of Morro Bay National Estuary include ducks such as Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal. On the other hand, some of our summer nesting birds are about to leave us for the still warmer conditions of Middle and South America, such as several species of fly-catchers, wood warblers, swallows, and wrens. Young of our year-round resident species have grown up and are leaving their parents to live on their own.
Although September is at or near the end of the summer dry season, a number of our maritime chaparral plants have adapted so well to summer drought that they are in full bloom now. Expect lots of white flowers near the boardwalk, blooming on shrubs such as California sagebrush, coyote brush, chamise, California croton (closer to the ground), and dune buckwheat white flowers aging to pink and then rust. Other flowers to look for are pink everlastings, California asters with yellow centers and white to pink rays, pink California hedge nettle, and yellow mock heather.
Even at this most stressful season of the year, a stroll around the boardwalk reveals lovely plants in glorious bloom and a great deal of bird and other animal activity. Join us on the Third Saturday Walk (details above) to look for insects and other arthropods active as summer ends and fall begins!
Photo of Jean by Ron Ascher.
Unless otherwise attributed, all other photos, including the Spotted Towhee banner image, are taken by Jean. |
