This past weekend, I decided to go camping. I got all my stuff packed up and headed out early to The Pinnacles National Park. I got there around 9:30 only to find that all the camp sites were full. I had looked online, but it said first come first serve, so I thought I would get one if I got there early enough - WRONG! Time for plan B.
I decided to hang around the Monterey area, so I drove to Moss Landing on a whim and then checked out the Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Reserve. I only intended to stay an hour. 3 hours and a 2.5 mile hike later, I finally got back to my car, and booked a hotel room in Salinas online (smart phones are the most awesome things ever). I stopped a few places on the way to the hotel and took lots of photos, of course.
The next day I drove to the west side of The Pinnacles National Park to take a short hike to look for wildflowers. It was pretty dry, but I did find a few: Johnny Jump Ups, Chinese Houses, a few Cream Cups, Poppies, Purple Owl's Clover, Miner's Lettuce, Monkeyflower, Woodland Star, and Larkspur. It was pretty warm, so I didn't go more than a half mile before turning around. Besides, I had more places to see and was short on time.
After my short stay at The Pinnacles, I drove down Jolon Road to Lake San Antonio and took a short tour before heading to Morro Bay to see the sea otters. They were in their usual spot at Morro Rock. I just love to see them :) My final stop was at Shell Beach before heading to the 166 to drive home. All in all, a nice road trip!
I posted pics below.
Until next time, happy trails!
Links to check out:
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Morro Bay - Wildlife Hotspots
Salinas River State Beach - Moss Landing, CA
Lake San Antonio
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Moss Landing - Marbled Godwit - . 4/20/13
My first photo of these guys - pretty cool. Wish the lighting would have been better, but oh well. Still, not a terrible shot :)
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Reserve - Wild Turkey - 4/20/13
I saw this wild turkey out of the corner of my eye. It jumped up onto the fence, jumped down and took off running across the field.
Moss Landing - Golden Crowned Sparrow - 4/20/13
A quick look at this bird and you can tell where it gets its name from.
Moss Landing - Bewick's Wren - 4/20/13
All wrens are quite cute, but I think the Bewick's Wren is my favorite.
Moss Landing - Great Blue Heron - 4/20/13
Usually shy and quick to fly away, I was able to get pretty close to this particular Great Blue Heron.
Moss Landing - Caspian Tern - 4/20/13
Along with the gulls flying around, Caspian Terns were also busy fishing for some dinner.
Moss Landing - Sea Otter - 4/20/13
This Sea Otter was busy grooming and cleaning himself, doing somersaults in the water and rubbing his fur.
Moss Landing - Sea Lions - 4/20/13
In the parking lot at Moss Landing, I heard the distinctive bark of sea lions....lots of them. So I went over to the dock, and saw that the sea lions had completely taken over this particular dock. They were piled on top of another, each jockeying for a comfy position on the dock. Although it looked anything but comfy.
Shell Beach - Pelagic Cormorant - 4/21/13
The Pelagic Cormorant is smaller in size than its cousin the Double Crested Cormorant.
Morro Bay - Sea Otters - 4/21/13
Sea Otters are a common sight at Morro Rock. They like to wrap themselves up in kelp to keep them from drifting away while they sleep.
Morro Bay - Double Crested Cormorant - 4/21/13
This Double Crested Cormorant was swimming amongst the otters. They didn't seem to mind though.
Morro Bay - Crab - 4/21/13
I looked down on the rocks after hearing a bit of a scuffling sound, to find this crab ducking into a crack in the rocks.
Morro Bay - Squirrel - 4/21/13
This California Ground Squirrel was quite the chatty guy. I don't know what he was saying or who he was saying it to, but he was "talking" non-stop to someone.
Pinnacles National Park - Whiptail Lizard - 4/21/13
As the weather gets warmer, the more reptiles come out of hiding to warm themselves up on the trails and roads. This Whiptail Lizard was keeping a watchful eye on me.
Pinnacles National Park - Chinese Houses - 4/21/13
A few patches of Chinese Houses were still blooming on the Juniper Canyon/High Peaks Trail in the West Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles National Park - Variable Checkerspot Butterfly - 4/21/13
This Variable Checkerspot butterfly was feasting on a common monkeyflower.
Pinnacles National Park - Johnny Jump Up - 4/21/13
I stopped by The Pinnacles National Park (yes, it is a national PARK now), to take a short hike to look for wildflowers. There weren't many, but there were still a few Johnny Jump Ups in bloom.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Lake San Antonio - 4/21/13
Did a quick visit to the south shore one the way home.
Tip: if you just want to look around, they will give you a 45 minute visitor pass for free.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Reserve - Moss Landing, CA - 4/20/13
I had a nice 2.5 mile walk here today. Lots of sunshine, birds and cool scenery, like this old barn.
Monday, April 15, 2013
LA Arboretum - 4/13/13
After my volunteer duties with my favorite Free Arts program were over, I visited the LA Arboretum. However, I didn't have long to explore, as I didn't get there til after 3:00, and the park closes at 5:00. Still, I managed to get in a great deal of exploring.
The LA Arboretum and Botanic Garden is located in Arcadia, CA on 301 North Baldwin Ave, across the street from Santa Anita Racetrack. They are open from 9:00 - 5:00 daily. There is an $8 admission fee for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $3 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 are free. Admission is free for all persons on the 3rd Tuesday of the month as well. Tickets for the tram are $4, but I suggest walking as there is so much to see!
One of the big attractions at the park is the peacock. There are lots of these birds roaming around, and are clearly big hits with the kids and adults alike.
I will have to go back in the near future, as I didn't have a chance to see the rose garden or a lot more of the park, as it was getting late and I had already spent too much time looking at the peacocks - lol. Awesome place.....just awesome.
I posted pics below. Enjoy!
Until next time, happy trails!
Links to check out:
LA Arboretum
LA Arboretum - Wikipedia
The LA Arboretum and Botanic Garden is located in Arcadia, CA on 301 North Baldwin Ave, across the street from Santa Anita Racetrack. They are open from 9:00 - 5:00 daily. There is an $8 admission fee for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $3 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 are free. Admission is free for all persons on the 3rd Tuesday of the month as well. Tickets for the tram are $4, but I suggest walking as there is so much to see!
One of the big attractions at the park is the peacock. There are lots of these birds roaming around, and are clearly big hits with the kids and adults alike.
I will have to go back in the near future, as I didn't have a chance to see the rose garden or a lot more of the park, as it was getting late and I had already spent too much time looking at the peacocks - lol. Awesome place.....just awesome.
I posted pics below. Enjoy!
Until next time, happy trails!
Links to check out:
LA Arboretum
LA Arboretum - Wikipedia
LA Arboretum - Cactus blooms
One of my favorite areas in the park is the desert garden area. I love cactus blooms!
LA Arboretum - Red Whiskered Bulbul
It is easy to see where the Red Whiskered Bulbul gets its name. They are quite the handsome bird. And it's the first time I had ever seen one.
LA Arboretum - Red Whiskered Bulbul
Normally found in Asia, the Red Whiskered Bulbul is also found in Los Angeles, where escaped pets have bred and established wild populations. They have also established wild populations in Florida and Hawaii.
LA Arboretum - Baby geese
It's spring time, and spring time means babies! Like this Canada Goose gosling. So cute and fluffy!
LA Arboretum - Cottontail
Lil Peter Cottontail decided to stop in front of me and take himself a dust bath.
LA Arboretum - Squirrel
Lots of wildlife can be found at the LA Arboretum, such as, you guessed it, squirrels!
LA Arboretum - Peacock
The female peacock is quite cute, tho not nearly as colorful as her male counterpart.
LA Arboretum - Peacocks
The male peacock does his best to impress the passing female. Sadly, she seems less than thrilled by his performance.
LA Arboretum - Peacock
There were lots of peacocks at the LA Arboretum. And the males were full in courtship season, showing off their colorful displays to any female that was in the vicinity.
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