February 23 - Big Sur

Dan Richards and I got up and made a light breakfast then went out to see some sights along the coast.

Cape San Martin

We drove south from the ranch to the trailhead for Point Sierra Nevada, and walked out to the beach.  Several egrets were feeding in the pasture that was being overgrown with chaparral

Egret hunting mice and insects

and there were lots of meadowlarks singing.

Meadowlark in flight

A flock of Sanderlings was doing their Sanderling thing on the beach,

Long-billed Curlew crashing the Sanderling party

As well, there were a few fishermen who were after surf perch.

The worst day fishing is better than the best day working . . .

It was, however, the Elephant Seals that stole the show.

Love that Schnoz!

We saw a lot of them doing this random plowing of the beach

But most were just sleeping

Even the Egrets got in on the act.

We moved on south to the access at Arroyo de la Cruz, where there were more egrets in the chaparral.

Down at this beach, we watched as a Western Gull stole an octopus from a cormorant.  The thief landed on a rock and loudly announced his victory.

Then, he had his come-uppance, when another gull stole the prey from him, and choked the meal down while being pursued by the first brigand.

Quite a mouthful

There were more seals on this beach as well.

This one looked as though he was crying . . .

Our final stop was a little further south, at a spot Dan called “the dead pig”, due to the fact that someone had either dumped a pig there last year, or a feral pig had been hit by a car or something.  Not far from the bones, there was quite the display of wild flowers.

 The chocolate lilies are similar to the “chocolate” or Kamchatka lily of the Pacific Northwest, but have larger flowers of a different hue.

Chocolate Lily Fritillaria biflora

The death camas is Zigadenus fremontii - Fremont's star lily, or Fremont's death camas (currently Toxicoscordion fremontii).

Do Not Eat the Bulb of this White Flower!

I had to look up the genus on the interwebs, as I’d learned it as Zigadenus.  Molecular phylogenetic studies of Melanthieae in the 21st century have resulted in number of changes to placements within this tribe.  Toxicoscordion was long submerged into the genus Zigadenus, but its separate position in the phylogeny of the Melanthieae has been re-confirmed, according to the Wikipediaaccount.  Members of Toxicoscordion may also be distinguished from other similar members of the death camas tribe by the presence of narrow, clawed tepals with a single, conspicuous, rounded gland.  Quite a handsome plant.

On this beach, we noted yet more seals, including a number that had been either dye-marked or ‘branded’.

No. PBA3 marked with hair dye

I can't read this one, but don't quite know how they marked her . . .

A few pups had succumbed to the rigors of youth, and provided sustenance for the other beach denizens.

Mother Nature is a B---h

At least there aren’t still Grizzly bears hunting the beaches for these things, or we tourists would be in a world of hurt . . .  I presume that the seal population isn't going to diminish any time soon.  Not with the activity I witnessed.

Don't worry, we'll make more . . .

It was a great morning spent with a man I admire and respect for his knowledge, experience, humor, and character.  But, I haven’t been home for nearly three weeks, and after eating lunch at Ragged Point, we returned to the ranch, and I headed north on Highway 1 to Castroville, then went up California 156 through Gilroy and San Jose to I-680, I-80, I-105, and finally to Interstate 5, making it as far as the Travelers Inn in Williams.  They did a fine job, providing a decent place to stay at a reasonable price.

Deer Flat Ranch eBird Checklist is Here

Point Sierra Nevada eBird Checklist is Here

Arroyo de la Cruz eBird Checklist is Here

Ragged Point Beach eBird Checklist is Here