While driving north up the coast on California Highway 1, I was surprised to see this small herd of elk., well off the road. While I watched, the male was active in rounding up a few of the cows that had wandered a bit too far. He was bugling his requests, and the "girls" hurried back to the herd. Tule Elk only occur in California, in the central valley and coastal grasslands. It is estimated that there are about 4,000 in existence today. When Europeans first arrived here, there were about 500,000; by 1870 it was believed that they had been extirpated. However, in 1875 one breeding pair was discovered, and they have gradually made their way back. It was wonderful to see them , one bull elk with his harem and young. This image is only part of the small herd I observed that day. 10/4/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com
One of the birds my sister from New Mexico had wanted for her California list was California Thrasher. On the coastal trip we had looked at some likely places, to no avail. On the way back from Montano de Oro, we stopped at the Elfin Forest in Los Osos. When we parked the car I could hear this bird singing its heart out--we only had to walk a few steps up the trail to see him perched atop this bush. He continued to sing on and on, giving lots of chances for his portrait, and was still singing as we drove away. One of our better, or at least easier, bird sightings! 10/2/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com
While hiking out at Montano de Oro, looking out over the cliffs above the sea, I spotted this Black Oystercatcher. It was using it long orange bill to probe around in the rock crevices, and came out with this yummy shellfish of some kind. He walked over to a spot, used his bill to open the shell, and ate the contents. He repeated the process a few times while I watched. All I can say is thank heavens for the bright orange bill, to help spot him on the rocks. 10/1/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com
