Hungry Sea Lion

Just last week one of our photographer passengers captured this incredible scene from the tour boat. This sea lion is gobbling up a Thornback ray. We never know what we are going to see out there on Elkhorn Slough. Thanks to R. Jackrel for sharing the photo with all of us.

Cuddly Otter Toys

Many of our passengers who love otters go home with one of our soft and fuzzy stuffed otter toys. We do not usually get reports on the stuffed toys, but Marge emailed us this photo of their pet dog who apparently adores the otter toy. Tootsie seems to agree with us that otters need all the protection and care they can get.

Sea Otter Mom and Pup

This photo says it all, so we will just confirm that this is a day old newborn Calfornia Sea Otter watched from Elkhorn Slough Safari's boat.. The Photograph belongs to Mr. M. Edson who allowed us to post it here.

New Staff

We would like to introduce our newest naturalist tour guide. This is Chelsea and she comes to us with a biology background and work experience doing interpretation at the Hawaiian Aquarium. One of her favorite topics is sea otter biology. The clam shell she is holding is the type that Elkhorn Slough sea otters have in their diet.

Colors of Spring

This time of year the birds are getting all dressed up for the breeding and nesting seasons. For example, these Caspian Terns are showing off why they are named "Caspian". The intense red beaks are named after the Caspian red sea. Soon they will have nests and chicks at Elkhorn Slough.

Flamingo!

Every now and again, we get very, very unusual visitors at Elkhorn Slough. This time it is a pink Greater Flamingo! We have been watching this bird for nearly a week now from the tour. Mostly on the mudflats of seal bend but also in the water near Kirby. These birds are not native, not even from this coastline. However, this is not the first time flamingo was observed here, there were two others in the 80s. Nearly all are escapees from a zoo or park. This specific bird has a pale yellow leg tag which we reported. If it is identified we will report it here at this blog entry.

Romance on the Elkhorn Slough

This handsome fellow commerated the last day of the year by surprizing his girlfriend of two years with his proposal of marriage. Captain Yohn and crew were in on the secret plan. The Captain picked a perfect spot to stop the boat, requested a volunteer to help him, the Captain chose her, and Captain positioned her on the bow. Then, the groom to be also went up, got down on one knee, opened a red ring box, and he asked her sincerley. She said yes!! Everyone including the sea otters were delighted. We wish them a wonderful marriage and many, many happy years together.

Favorite Time of Year

Whether you like birds or sea otters or just plain beautiful vistas, the crisp clear days of fall and winter are just a favorite time to be on the Elkhorn Slough. The softer sunlight makes for wonderful photographs and memories. This tour group watched flocks and flocks of birds moving about the mudflats of the tidal channels, it was awe inspiring. The numbers of birds are the highest in the fall and winter.

Bird Migration

The numbers and variety of bird species is increasing rapidly on Elkhorn Slough right now, as it always does in autumn. We are seeing all sorts of migrators from these tiny sandpipers to all sorts of waterfowl. However, these little migration experts are some of our favorites. They travel great distances on a diet of tiny worms! It is a Fall celebration of wildlife in the wetlands.

All the World

People come from all over the world to see the wildlife on Elkhorn Slough. They are in search of a particular bird, marine mammals, and the playful otters. They come and take photos of the wildlife and scenery and our crew. Sometimes they take video for TV shows in Germany, Australia, Japan, Denmark, United Kingdom, Canada, China and many others. This Japanese visitor insisted in having her photo with Captain Yohn and said the otters and pelicans were her favorites.

Egret

These beautiful birds are sighted frequently on Elkhorn Slough. They stand very still watching for bait fish to capture and eat. It is challenge to see them in all the different behaviours while on a tour. Stalking, flying, preening, wading, nesting, and competing for territories.

Pelicans of Summer

One of the summer highlights is the large numbers of California Brown Pelicans at Elkhorn Slough. The slough is a major roosting and resting location for these birds which were nearly wiped out by the use of DDT pesticides in the past. We also see lots of the much larger White Pelicans who tend to organized together for fishing.