June is an odd, unpredictable month when it comes to weather. Here, on California’s central coast, we complain if the temperature varies by more than 5 degrees F, and we complain a lot in June. But today, I find a nice hour in the afternoon when the wind settles and the sun is mild. I go for a walk.
I want to see what is happening to the seasonal ponds in the dunes. These low areas fill up with water after it rains, but we have had a month of sun and wind, and I am thinking that they will be dry today.
When I reach the dunes, I find a little water, but it has turned swamp-y. I think that the mallard ducks I noticed last time have found a better place to settle. I see several curlews sticking their long, curved beaks into the sand of the dunes, and I wonder if they are testing out potential nesting places. Then I think more likely they are scrounging for the little plover eggs that I have never seen, but are said to be everywhere on this protected area. Curlews, apparently, ignore the warning signs.
I tab back through my photos to find an earlier picture of the ponds, and compare to what I see now. The potential duck home then:
and now:
My attention is called skyward when a large group of sea gulls flies overhead. I turn south to see wave after wave of the birds all flying north past me toward the town of Cayucos, maybe even farther. I wonder what would have caused this. A cluster of seafood in the waves farther north on the beach? As more and more make the flight northward, it is apparent that the birds know something I do not, and it makes me curious. Blue herons and a vulture or two join the flight north. The sky is so filled that I get distracted with the sight and forget I have a camera in my hands. By the time I have things in focus, the migration has passed.
If I could fly, I could find out where the gulls and their companions are headed, and maybe the reason for their flight. But I am feet-only today, and it is time for the walk back home. I often wonder about measuring my afternoon walks, curious as I am about distance and time. Then I decide the better measurement is in pictures, however flawed and intermittent. Happy walking!
Linked to Restless Jo’s Monday Walks
One Small Walk... 
Susan, I love the vistas you have there. Thanks for sharing, Keith
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Mother nature is great entertainment. Thanks, Keith.
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Thanks for taking us on a walk again!
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You’re welcome, Hugh. Glad you came along.
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Lovely walk! By the way, how are your hawks doing?
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I’m sure the hawks appreciate you remembering them. They are fine, doing what hawks do. It looks like their tree is scheduled for removal, which I think is a good thing since the nest is so close to people and the highway. 😉
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I’ve always found it amazing how seagulls manage to communicate to one another. We had vast flocks of them on North Padre Island and, if one bird saw any food, it didn’t take long before there would be an enormous group hovering in mid-air or squabbling on the ground. Once I had a sandwich in my hand and a gull swooped down to grab it! Anita
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Wow! They can get a little too familiar. I have actually become a fan since moving here. They are really pretty, clean birds, and on this beach, there is so much sea life that they haven’t yet gone after people food! 🙂
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Beautiful walk, you have lovely scenery round about you.
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I agree, Anabel. After four years, I am still captivated by this area, and feel very fortunate.
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Thanks for sharing, Susan 🙂 Summer has got me in its grip. The weather is anything but settled but I can’t resist the great outdoors. Not on the blog as much as normal and I think I’ve almost mentally checked out in advance of my trip to the Algarve next week. 🙂
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Enjoy your escapist-time. Nothing like time outdoors to relax – it may be the best prep work for your trip to the Algarve!
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Thanks for this walk with the Gulls, Susan! It is amazing how the landscape constantly changes, and the water birds move to greener pastures with the rains, while others find the dry landscape attractive. Even our marsh is dried than it should be…and there are fewer birds now. I have a phone app that measures my steps and I always feel healthier seeing I walked 4 miles 😀
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Tiny – I’ve seen that app in action – what a great motivator. Since I can’t quite remember to bring my phone, it would be lost on me. I also like measuring steps, but I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with measuring by sea gulls!
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