An Otterly Delightful Day

Sea otters resting at the Embarcadero in Morro Bay

 Today was pretty chill. We stayed close to the hotel and took a relaxed pace. Before we left the motel, I watched the first episode of Starfleet Academy for free on YouTube. I probably won't watch the rest of it, even though I liked it, because I don't want to give Paramount/Skydance/Ellison any of my money for reasons of politics and morality,  and I don't believe in pirating. 

We started our adventures at the Embarcadero where we chatted at length with a local and then with a visiting elderly woman and her son from San Diego. We saw a few birds and about 15-20 sea otters. One of them had a pup. You gotta watch this cuteness. 

Next we made our way to Windy Cove at the State Park to look through the telescope. I got some Least Sandpipers and three kinds of grebes. Twenty species confidently identified in 23 minutes. 

We then headed over to El Moro Elfin Forest Preserve, which I had been looking forward to all week. I finally was able to view the estuary, which I had been struggling to find access to a few days ago. Remember the mud and muck? Yeah, this was better. A lovely dry boardwalk meanders through the preserve, affording views of the estuary and the scrub. Educational signs are placed throughout the path, with information on the plants and animals in residence and the Indigenous Chumash people who historically made this land their home and how they used the natural resources there. There are also several benches and viewpoints along the boardwalk and Jerry and I sat and pondered on some of them. 

The Elfin Forest Preserve is a curious place where coastal live oaks, which normally grow to a height of up to 50 feet, are stunted by environmental conditions. The trees are measure in at between 4 and 20 feet tall! There are a few tall trees in one small grove, but for the most part nothing was taller than me. Check out their website to learn about the 6 distinct habitat types and who lives there. 

The view of the estuary from the Elfin Forest

The Elfin Forest Boardwalk Trail

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry was in bloom all over the preserve

Mudflats from the Bush Lupine Viewpoint

We then had lunch in our motel room and then walked to Absolution Cellars where I did a wine tasting. Another woman from San Francisco came at the same time and we ended up chatting and tasting together. I sampled 6 wines in all, and heard about where the grapes were grown (all in central CA)  and the stories behind the labels on each one. I purchased some wine and we walked it back to the motel, since it was heavy. 

or should it say Wine Not?

Then we walked all the way back to a dog friendly restaurant on the water so I could view our last sunset unobstructed. There were a lot of people arriving for the Morro Bay Bird Festival this weekend. I noticed  a lot of no vacancy signs at motels we walked past. I attended that festival many years ago with Doug. It's a well-run birding event and I can imagine it's a great off-season boon to the local businesses. 

Our last Morro Rock sunset

The rest of today's photos here. 

This whole week Jerry was the bestest boy ever. He was the perfect traveling companion, hiking buddy, and nighttime snuggler. He got to meet a lot of people and animals and behaved kindly to all. He is truly the most well-behaved dog I have ever had. I thank him every day for choosing me. 

My best buddy

He's also my favorite subject to photograph

Jerry watching some elephant seals

On the trail up to Black Hill

This alpaca was just one of many domestic animals that Jerry met

At the Monarch Grove, undoubtedly grateful to be out of car and stretching his legs

At the beginning of our journey. He was great in the car! He used to get so nervous and vomit in the car, but now he's a well-seasoned traveler.