Morro Bay to Lake Piru

Morro Rock is the towering 576 foot guard standing watch over Morro Bay Harbor.  In 1542 Juan Cabrillo named this domed rock on his discovorery voyage of the coast.  This rock was exploited for many years taking tons of rock for jetties along the coast until 1968 when all this was halted making it a state Historical Landmark.  It is now a refuge for nesting birds including the Peregrine Falcon.

Our first of year Cackling Geese along Morro Creek

Long-billed Curlews are as numerous as the surfers on the beach

Large flocks of Elegant Terns are migrating south

Snowy Egrets argue over fishing grounds

"This is my spot and no one else can have it!"

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron

Pied-billed Grebe 

California Sea Lion barks his way along the shore

California Ground Squirrel has been getting a few too many treats from the people

Our first Rock Wren appropriatly found at Morro Rock

Bushtit hangs around the Rock

Flocks of Bushtits find lots of treats in all the vegetation

Osprey got a fine catch from the surf

Black-crowned Night Heron

Moon sets over the top of Morro Rock

Canyon Wren

Fall is in the air as the Poison Oak turns a beautiful red, look but don't touch!

One day, we drove to the Santa Margarita area to find this special species - the Yellow-billed Magpie.  Only found in a localized area of California, but when you do find them, you find a lot.  Nice noisy flocks in the open fields of this agricultural area.

"You got my back, now I'll turn so you can get my front."

California Thrasher

Ocean waves crash into and over the dike protecting Morro Bay

Finally, there he was!  The Peregrine Falcon soars high above Morro Rock

The most visited wildlife of Morro Bay are the rafts of Sea Otters that, feed, sleep and play along the shore where everyone can watch.  These are the most photographed  animals as everyone was taking pictures, with every sized camera or cell phone.  They are quite the entertainers!

What a great day to be alive!

Hey!  What are you looking at?  This is my clam!

Stretch and roll, stretch and roll.  time to sleep.

Surfbird looks for goodies on the rocks

Nearby walks can bring many birds including this Townsend's Warbler

That caterpiller is the same color but probably not too tasty!

There were some beautiful sunsets, especially this one on our last evening at Morro Rock

We then drove to Lake Piru for two nights by this reservoir high in the mountains.

Clark's Grebes were enjoying the fish.

Lark Sparrows

This Buck is enjoying the well watered park area that is surrounded by the arid dry brush that we saw everywhere.  No wonder there are so many fires, everything is dry fuel that could go up in flames so easily helped by the Santa Ana winds.

Thanks for traveling with us!
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann