February 6

The mid-morning weather in southern California is clear and cool as Caroline, Riley and I start our hike in Abalone Cove Park with the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in front of us. After looking at the morning sun reflecting off the coastline water, I spot a single, Red-throated Loon swimming offshore. These duck-like seabirds breed in rugged tundra and taiga wetlands of northern Canada and Alaska.  Wintering birds, like this one, are found only in shallower marine waters near land and in major estuaries and sounds. Like other loons, they dive for fish from the surface but may also hunt from the air. They fly swiftly and can stall, pivot, and drop with almost falcon-like precision. Working our way down steep terrain, I spot pink blossoms of Ice plants and yellow blossoms of Coast Sunflowers. Birds I observe along the way include a standing California Towhee and a singing House Finch. Reaching the water’s edge, I pause to look at and listen to the wave action. In the distance, I see a large gathering of Brown Pelicans resting on a rocky islet. This is the only pelican species that dives from height as the main method of obtaining food. Exploring the rocky beach, I notice a Mussel, finding shelter inside one of several holes in a large boulder. These holes were made by a rock-burrowing mollusk called a Piddock Clam (stock photo) The bottom portion of their shells have rough ridges with teeth-like serrations that twist and grind back and forth into the rock. Away from the water, I scan stratified rock layers on the cliff face. Nearby, I catch a glimpse of a scampering California Ground squirrel. This mammal is also called a Beechey Ground Squirrel, named after Frederick William Beechey, who explored much of Northern California in 1826-28 as captain of His Majesty's Ship, Blossom. After making our way back up the steep slope toward the car, I stop to watch a perching Peregrine Falcon. These birds-of-prey catch medium-sized birds in the air with swift, spectacular dives, called stoops. They often sit on high perches, waiting for the right opportunity to make their aerial assault. They have been observed killing birds as large as a Sandhill Crane and as small as a hummingbird. Typical prey include shorebirds, ducks, grebes, gulls, and songbirds including jays, waxwings, and starlings. In cities they are masterful at catching pigeons. Peregrine Falcons also eat substantial numbers of bats. 

 

Filling the senses

More than enough

Shorebirds and surf

Sounds from the bluff

Rocks are resistant

Waves are rough

Forces of nature

Scenes from the bluff

Land versus sea

Competition tough

Stretching the mind 

Thoughts from the bluff

 

D. DeGraaf