What’s going on with the pelicans? California brown pelicans seem to have gone mad, begging for food, tailing boats, landing in people’s backyards, hanging out on school rooftops in the Valley and washing up dead along the shore. While it’s easy to tell that something is wrong with pelicans, coming up with a fool proof… [read more]
Ravens: practicing monogamy for now
Valentine’s Day has come and gone again…the day set aside for showering that special someone in your life with love, gifts, affection and maybe even an engagement ring. The first step in making the ultimate promise to spend the rest of your life with the person you love or “until death do us part” as… [read more]
Gray Whales: on the road again
Imagine doing a major road trip for 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Now imagine making that trip 11 months pregnant. Now imagine making the return trip of 5,000 to 7,000 miles just three months after arriving and giving birth. Now imagine doing these two major road trips every year of your life until the day you… [read more]
Sanderlings: always on the run
The sanderlings or Calidris alba are the cute little birds obsessively running in and out with the tide. Sanderlings are pretty small, averaging 7.5 inches in length and weighing about 2.5 ounces. Females and males look alike with soft black eyes, dark black legs and feet, light gray feathers on the back and head, bright… [read more]
Snowy Plover: dirty square dancing in the sand
To live on the beach, bask in the sun, scrape a nest in the sand, run near the waves and make love along the dunes is to live the life of a snowy plover. Western snowy plovers or Charadrius alexandrines nivosus are cute little birds that inhabit prime waterfront property along California’s coast and inland… [read more]
Mako Sharks: eggs for breakfast, jumbo squid for dinner
Thanks to Jaws, sharks have received a bad rap that’s really not fair. It’s annoying to even feel the need to mention Jaws, but I wanted to get it over with. Yes, Jaws was a very scary take on the Great White Shark. Not all Great Whites attack humans and not all sharks are Great… [read more]
The Vaquita Porpoise: the most endangered marine mammal in the world
In the Gulf of California, the body of water between Mexico’s mainland and the Baja California Peninsula, exists the Vaquita. Now what is the Vaquita you ask? Depending on your persuasions the name brings to mind different things. Possibly it’s a fancy cocktail drink that clubbers order, “I’ll take another Vaquita on the rocks please.”… [read more]
California Brown Pelican: resident artist, yoga bird and exhibitionist
Taking a walk along the Redondo pier is a great way to enjoy the fresh ocean air mixed with fishy aromas while checking out the natural art gallery just across the way or painted rocks as we like to joke during whale watch season. And in this case the featured artist is the California Brown… [read more]
Sheephead fish: sex change without surgery
It’s Friday night at the local saloon and not one person of the opposite sex in sight. Dating can be such a drag. But instead of moping, why not head to the restroom and perform a quick sex change and become the hottest commodity at the bar? Welcome to the potential benefits of being a… [read more]
California Spiny Lobster: fully-armored all-terrain vehicle
There he was, the California Spiny Lobster, and I swear he was staring at me. No matter which way I walked those black beady eyes followed me, he was the Crustacean Mona Lisa, only better. His long antennae wavered about feeling the water acting as sensors. But the most impressive characteristic of this particular lobster… [read more]