Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley
Our Backyard

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Elkhorn Slough - Part 5

Finally, the last group of Elkhorn Slough images.


Another pelican on the water



"Yak, yak, yak..."



A couple of Curlews


Glaucous-winged Gull


 
Sea otter eating a clam



Lots of sea lions



Just trying to blend in...



Cormorant portrait



Sea lion swimming by



Pelican preening



"Everyone comfy?"



All curled up


Elkhorn Slough - Part 4

Yet more images.


Cormorant in flight



Pelican flying low



Cormorant drying its wings



Godwit probing for a snack



Snowy Egret (note the black bill)



Willet in flight



Sea otter really chewing on something



Pelican just taking off



"Move over! I'm landing there."



Another pelican in flight



More American Avocets



Great Egret portrait



"One good tern deserves another."



Group of Elegant Terns in flight



Stepping out



Unruly looking mob


Friday, November 11, 2011

Elkhorn Slough - Part 3

Even more images from Elkhorn Slough.


This juvenile pelican looks like he isn't sure what to do with his neck and bill.



As the boat got too close, the pelicans at the near edge of this large flock took off.



This landing pelican almost appears to be leading a choir.



These elegant Terns were neatly lined up on these old pilings.



Cormorant washing its tail feathers



This seal appears to be sticking out his tongue at us.



More sea otters just hanging out




Duck just taking off or landing.



Another pelican in flight



Cormorants ignoring each other



Getting the "pelican stare"



American Avocets
 



A Godwit



A nearly fully grown otter pup nursing with his mother.


Elkhorn Slough - Part 2

Some more of the images from Elkhorn Slough.

This cormorant with his catch is almost a silhouette.



Portrait of a Great-Blue Heron standing on the shore.



Elegant Tern in flight



A Great Egret on the hunt



Harbor Seals hauled out on the muddy shoreline



Another Great-Blue Heron



Ready to attack



Great-Blue Heron preening on the bank



Just chilling out




Heron taking off



Pelican portrait



Pelican in flight




Stalling just before a dive



Getting back into the air