Blackout

no electricity all evening

roam in the darkness

approach bathroom sink

feel the presence of alien creature

creature greets from galactic saucer

mi casa su casa

Thanksgiving Week

What a fun, glorious week, with much to be thankful for. I was fortunate to share the trip down and back with Gail, an IBRRC volunteer, artist, birder, and fellow road tripper. First stop was in Santa Cruz to see and hear Nick playing in his Gamalan drumming concert.

Nick, on the right, playing two sets of pots, in different keys.

Nick, now on the left, playing something else.

The music left us wanting for more. It seeps into your body and carries you along as it builds to a crescendo.

The next morning heralded what could have been the nicest day of the year on the Big Sur coast. This is the start of the 70 miles of cliff-side driving. That is Point Sur up ahead.

There are a few homes along the way, some of them perched in dramatic, if not terrifying locations.

We stopped in Nepenthe, a spectacular spot above the ocean, to sip organic apple cider, feel the sun, look out over the ocean, and relax. Above, is a grand piece of driftwood, called the The Phoenix.

Next stop was to walk down to the beach at Partington Cove. At the first little cove, the favorite past-time appeared to be rock stacking.

A trail lead through a tunnel to the real cove. The tunnel was made many years ago to carry wood through the ridge to waiting boats at the cove. Gail adds color and scale to the scene.

At the southern end of the Big Sur coast, is an elephant seal colony that first existed in 1991 with about a dozen seals. Today, the colony numbers 15,000.

There were many juveniles, weighing up to 3,000 pounds. Very soon, the adults will arrive, with some of the males weighing in excess of 5,000 pounds.

This is the next day in Santa Barbara. Mom does this walk everyday, down on Shoreline Drive.

Nora, Mom, Laura (my niece), and Maggie, taking a break at the turn-around spot. I failed to capture our Thanksgiving feast, but we had a fun time. Congratulations to Laura and Karl, who announced their engagement this week!

Day at Point Reyes

Last Friday was a good day for a trip to the coast and a new discovery. My friend Gail came along, as she was in much need of a break from many, many hours of relentless bird care and chaos at Bird Rescue the past couple weeks. We were both looking forward to seeing healthy birds in the great outdoors.

Abbott's Lagoon, what a beautiful sanctuary and great "discovery".

At the water's edge was this resting Great Blue Heron. He had no trouble balancing on one leg, on a floating log, in the wind.

Two Eared Grebes were doing a bit of dancing that they are famous for.

Sanderling? Snowy Plover? Sandpiper? Hard for us to say, but if I had to bet, I would say Western Sandpiper.

I think Gail nailed the ID on these two Marbled Godwits.

Marching in step with their splendid bills leading the way.

After zooming in on this picture on the computer and using my books, I believe this to be a Ruddy Duck.

Meanwhile, Mr. Heron senses something and comes to life.

This is one of many hawks we saw while driving around Point Reyes. When in doubt, we go with Red-tailed Hawk.

A begging Raven below the car window in the Drakes parking lot.

We hiked down to Drakes Estero to see Harbor Seals and distant White Pelicans.

We also saw a few Surf Scoters. Two males and a female here. The Point Reyes National Seashore is an amazing place. With a little hiking, you feel like you are truly away from it all and "life is good".

Ano Nuevo

Yesterday, Nick and I stopped at Ano Nuevo State Reserve to do the hike out to see the Elephant Seals. It was a warm sunny day, and the surf was big. Below is the distant island with remaing house and lighthouse buildings. The only occupants now are Elephant Seals and Sea Lions.

This rock had rounded forms that looked like marine mammals from a distance.

This whale bone looks remarkably like an Elephant Seal face.

Here, Nick is practicing his Territory Ahead pose.

The beach greeter. All the Elephant Seals that are at Ano Nuevo this time of the year are juveniles. In December, the adults arrive, and that is when the fights, mating, and birthing begin. The juveniles were doing a little mock battling.

The beach scene.

Elephant Seals sometimes curl their front flippers to scratch under their arms.

There is a freshwater pond on the way out that was popular with the Brown Pelicans. They would land and splash themselves with water, as if they were rinsing something off. After a few minutes, they would fly back out to sea.

Splish splash, I was taking a bath......

I love seeing healthy pelicans in the wild!

They are so visual... you just know he has given you the once-over, and has figured out your intentions.

Ah, what beauty this is!