Elephants

Believe it or not! Today it was raining on the Central California Coast so I decided to take a trip north to San Simeon. Many may know that Hearst Castle is located in these parts but across the highway is the molting ground of the Sea Elephant. I have seen these creatures on television but a close up look in person gives a better understanding of there immense bulk. The males are huge and very territorial regarding their harem. The beach was full of these immense creatures

The babies are born with a black coat and shed it in about 3 months at which time they are on their own. Until the time they are weened they consume mothers milk that is 55% fat. Needless to say they bulk up quickly.

Fortunately, I was able to witness a turf war amongst two males. Unlike a mating duel this one was without bloodshed and the loser was simply driven into the ocean.

The Great Wall of Gum?

Walking in SLO tonight and came across the the wall of gum. A local attraction featuring an alleyway between the two main streets in town where people have been placing chewing gum on the walls. Looks as though it has been happening for years!

One of the women in the picture asked me to email her the picture so she could show her students back in Keri Keri, New Zealand, the wall. Small world as Alison and I spent hurricane season two years ago very close to Keri Keri. We were in Opua.

I have been alive for another year and am pleased by that fact so I celebrated the coming year with a nice bottle of champers.

All the best

Paddy

New Years

After work on New Years Eve I drove to Shell Beach and stopped to look at the ocean I stayed until the sun went down and enjoyed sitting on the bench and watching the beach scene.

I live in SLO but the drive to the beach is always a good one. Over the last five years I have seen the sun drop below the horizon more times than I can remember and I am always in awe of nature doing her thing.

Christmas 2008

No work today or until Monday for that matter. I had planned to travel for the holidays but in the end decided just to hang out around the Central California Coast. I went to Avila Beach on Christmas to see the Pacific and do some reading while the surf crashed on the shore. Do miss the sounds of the ocean after the two months spent here as a grass combing lubber, oh well another couple of months and I will be back on the boat.

Avila was destroyed not too many years ago by an oil spill so has lost its old world look because the oil company responsible had to completely rebuild the town and beaches as compensation to the area. Everything is new in the downtown area and it is a shame as this town is a backwater with only one way in and out from US 101. Could have been quite interesting before the rebuild.

Drove to Montana de Oro State Park and overlooked Morro Bay. I am trying my hand at a video so take a look if you can work it. Happy New Year!

Sea Lions

Here they are!!!!

San Luis Pier

Saturday in SLO dawned clear and warm so off to the beach at Avila! Lots of people here on holidays so the people watching was fantastic but came nowhere near to the antics of the animal residents of the bay.

As the fishing boats came in for the day the pelicans would hang around the fish cleaning station hoping to get some of the offal for dinner. Several tried to swallow pieces so big it took twenty minutes to get them down. While under the pier on the lower level the sea lions have taken over the wharf as their sleeping quarters. They are out of control here and have taken the lower pier for their own!