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Nature Sightings 2004-2005

4/19/2005 - Students came across an emaciated Northern Elephant Seal pup hauled up on Moonstone Beach. They decided something needed to be done and agreed with their naturalist that the Marine Mammal Center should be called. Volunteers came out, determined that the pup was indeed in need of care, and took him back to their facility in Sausalito. Great spotting kids!

4/13/2005 - Students on the forest hike watched a Bobcat from about 60 feet away. The Bobcat posed on the boardwalk for a good thirty seconds, twitching its tail, then leapt down and trotted off.

4/06/2005 - The Painted Lady butterfly migration that is making its way through Bakersfield and the rest of the Central Valley has made its way over here as well! In addition, the Monarch Butterflies are livening up from their winter hibernation. We saw both in droves this week!

3/30/2005 - Two Southern Sea Otters were seen mating off of Morro Rock. Typical to form, the male bit the female's muzzle keep a firm hold on her. The scene lasted about 10 minutes!

3/23/2005 - There is a mother Southern Sea Otter in Morro Bay with a newborn pup! She carries it around on her chest everywhere she goes. Students have had some excellent viewing opportunities over the last few weeks as she has stayed close to shore.

greatblueheron: 3/15/2005 - The resident Peregrine Falcons at Morro Rock were seen courting and mating today. It was definately an educational experience. All the more so since this species was on the brink on extinction only 40 years ago.

2/25/2005 - Students spotted a pod of Dolphins surfing in the waves directly off San Simeon Beach.

2/18/2005 - It was the end of our week and we'd had 4 inches, at least, of rain in as many days. Thirty kids were hiking through yet more rain on the San Simeon forest trail and walked smack into the first Mountain King Snake we've ever seen in the area. It was a good 3 feet long! We're guessing that it washed down from the hills by all the runoff. With all this rain, we've had a great season for Pacific Tree Frogs and Giant Water Bugs on the forest trail, as well.

1/21/2005 - 30 students watched as a female Elephant Seal gave birth 30 feet away. We saw the entire process from beginning to end. It was absolutely amazing! We also saw the frequent matings and fights common this time of year.

1/13/2005 - A Humpback Whale was spotted surfacing in Morro Bay. It was so close, we could see the knobs on its chin! Several spouts have been spotted off shore, as well. We aren't sure what species they are, but we do know that we are in the middle of migration season.

11/18/2004 - A male California Sea lion appeared 15 feet away from our group at Morro Bay. Several times he surfaced with a fish, whipped it back and forth in his mouth, then tossed it away only to dive under to find it again. Guess animals play with their food, too!

11/03/2004 - Three Golden Eagles, two adults and one juvenile, spotted flying low over the fields south of Cambria. One even flew right over the bus. Later on, we saw an adult Red-tailed Hawk flying at the juvenile with outstretched talons. The eagle just flew on and out of the hawk's territory.

10/13/2004 - As we pulled up to Moonstone Beach, we saw several Turkey Vultures standing around on the sand. We snuck up to watch and counted 103 vultures, with more arriving at a rate of one every 30 seconds. We still can't figure out what they were doing.

8/29/2004 - A pod of Humpback Whales were seen spyhopping and bubblenetting just outside the mouth of Morro Bay. Pretty impressive stuff!

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