CALIFORNIA:

In California, I worked for two institutions.  The first, Moss Landing Marine Labs, is located in Moss Landing, California.  I assisted with a project that investigated the impact that pinnipeds are having on salmonids in Monterey Bay.  This required watching harbor seals at various river mouths in Santa Cruz County, and also conducting at-sea observations of sea lions.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable position!

My second position was with The Big Sur Ornithology Lab, a division of the Ventana Wilderness Sanctuary.  This allowed me to band over 600 birds, and was a good introduction to western birds.  We had an exciting fall, with many eastern vagrants landing in our nets!

A brown pelican standing on a stump in Monterey.

A pacific harbor seal lying on rocks in Monterey Harbor.  This is how seals spend much of their day: sleeping on the rocks.  They are more active at night.  These animals are highly opportunistic, however, so will feed at all times of the day.

A female sea otter eats a king crab off her belly.  Highly inefficient due to a lack of subcutaneous blubber, otters must constantly eat to stay warm in the cold waters of Monterey Bay.

A jelly fish- shot through the glass at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Another pacific harbor seal.  Note the lack of ear pinna (flaps) a major distinguishing characteristic between this family (Phocidae) and the sea lion family (Otaridae).

A male surf scoter- shot at Moss Landing State Beach.

A snowy egret.  A very common bird along the central coast.

A black-necked stilt drinks from a small fresh water pond.  I first saw these birds in Mau'i, but they are very common here.

A year old California sea-lion sits on the breakwall in Monterey harbor.  Notice the ear pinna.  Touch your mouse to this picture...silly little sea lion.  Yes, this is the species  that one sadly finds at Seaworld doing tricks.

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