Seacliff and Rio Del Mar SB

Walked from the cement ship to Hidden Beach, 9-11:30 AM. Mostly overcast with sun breaking through. Cormorants, gulls, pelican, and pigeons on the ship. Saw a group of 4 whimbrel, feeding in the surf as I walked south and resting in the river mouth when I returned. Swallows flying low over the river and beach. Could hear and see terns in flight and a really large (100's) flock of gulls passed overhead. Saw gooseneck barnacles on the wharf piling.
At Rio Del Mar had fun watching brewer's blackbirds and there was a small flock of California gulls.
Not much action until closer to Hidden beach, saw a single surf scoter. At Hidden beach, unfortunately, saw a stranded sea lion pup and called Marine Mammal Rescue. It was alive but looked kind of emaciated to me. It moved when it saw me so I got out of there after I called and reported it, so as not to stress it further. I forgot to take a picture; it was kind of a surreal experience. Very unexpected to see it where it was, far from the beach almost to the base of the stairs.
Plants included the usual suspects; verbena, wild radish. A bright yellow flowering bush on the riverbank at Rio Del Mar - bushy sunflower?

Publicado el 18 de mayo de 2016 a las 12:23 AM por sgstasi