Elfin Forest Activities

By Jean Wheeler

Saturday, August 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 sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, and park at the north end of 15th Street in Los Osos, avoiding driveways and mailboxes.

Third Saturday Walk—August 17, 9:30 a.m.  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.  Of course, he will describe our local earthquake faults and talk a little about earthquakes in general. Jeff brings rock samples and draws diagrams of local geologic action.  Join us for a lively and informative walk and talk.

Park at the north end of 15th Street (16th Street for wheelchairs) off Santa Ysabel in Los Osos. Walks begin on the boardwalk at the end of the 15th Street sand path.  Wear comfortable shoes, long sleeves and pants to avoid poison oak and mosquitoes.  Please park carefully, avoiding driveways and mailboxes.

Besides docent-led events, visit the Elfin Forest any day and 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.

Coming Up in the Elfin Forest

August is one of the driest months of the year, yet flowers continue to beautify the shrubs in the Elfin Forest.  The signature flower of this season is the bright yellow of Mock Heather, which is widespread in the Elfin Forest and blooms almost exclusively in August and September.  Coyote Brush has yellow male flowers and white female ones.  This is the middle of a very long blooming season for them.  California Goldenrod is also in bloom. 

Pink flowers that may be seen are Pink Everlastings and California Hedge Nettle. California Asters bloom mainly from August to December with ray flowers in white to pink or lavender around yellow central discs. Dune Buckwheat flowers start out white, but now begin to age to pink and ultimately darken to a rust color.

Colorful fruits add their beauty to the Elfin Forest in late summer and early autumn and provide food for birds and other wildlife. California Coffeeberry is especially attractive along the boardwalk between Bush Lupine Point and Siena’s View. Its berries appear yellow at first, darken to red and finally turn a richly glowing black. Berries in all three colors are often clustered together on these shrubs in August and September.  Another bright red berry grows on Hollyleaf Cherry shrubs in the same area.

Among our resident birds active now are White-crowned, Chipping, Lark, Savannah, and Song Sparrows, House and Purple Finches, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Bushtits, Bewick's Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatchatchers, and Anna's Hummingbirds.  Fairly common but usually skulking low in the bushes are California and Spotted Towhees, California Thrashers, and Wrentits.  The blue flash and noisy screams of California Scrub Jays are everywhere, and California Quail can be seen scurrying through the underbrush.

Western Fence Lizards dart actively along the boardwalk in these warmest months, and you may be lucky enough to see a Garter, Gopher, or California King Snake, none of which is poisonous. Tracks of our nocturnal animals, notably Raccoons, can often be seen in the sand next to the boardwalk on early morning walks.

The abundant and active life displayed by so many plants and animals adapted to our dry climate and sandy dune soils is marvelous to observe at this most stressful season of their year. 

Photo of Jean by Ron Ascher
Unless Otherwise Attributed, All Other Photos, Including the Spotted Towhee Banner Image, are Taken by Jean.