While traveling up the coast, I made a point of stopping in Pismo Beach, one of the eucalyptus groves where migrating Monarch butterflies gather to overwinter. This view is of a small number of the Monarchs there. It was a chilly late afternoon, so they weren't very active, staying clustered in bunches like this. Some were flying about, but you could mostly see the undersides of their wings, in shade. Monarch butterflies from much of the country migrate to mountainous areas in central Mesico. Those from west of the Rocky Mountains migrate west to the coast of Central California. It is an amazing phenomenon, wonderful to witness. 12/11/22 www.sparhawkphotography..com
One of the joys of spending time in Morro Bay is the sea otters that winter in the harbor, fairly close to shore. They have chosen an area in the marina for the nursery, with mothers and babies of varied ages and sizes. This shows a momma with a baby almost full sized--they take care of them for 9 months or more, teaching the young to dive and hunt for shellfish and crustaceans for food. They are such cute little critters! 12/10/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
Back from a few days up the coast, birding around the Morro Bay area. My last night there, I drove down to Morro Rock for the sunset, enjoying the color and the waves spraying up above the jetty. Suddenly I turned around, and this is what I saw--the full moon rising into the clouds, made pink by the setting sun. I got a couple of quick shots, and then it had risen into the clouds and was gone from sight. It was a magical moment. 12/9/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
