Volume 35 * Number 2 Summer * 2012 Foundation

Route 1, Box 221789 Carmel, CA 93922 (831) 625-1470 www.pointlobos.org

President Cooperating Association Sandy Hale Liaison Eric Abma Vice President Lynne Miles Point Lobos Magazine Editorial Director Secretary Dida Kutz Bill Eckert [email protected]

Treasurer Copyeditor Jay Sinclair Charles Schrammel

Assist. Treasurer Photo Contributors John Drum Chuck Bancroft Fred Brown Directors Lisa Cook Fred Brown Dave Evans Steve Dennis Dida Kutz Stan Dryden Tim Neece Skip Flohr Paul Reps Sharon Hoffman Pat Sinclair Jeff Johnson Augie Louis Cover: Coyote Features Kathy Petty courtesy Chuck Bancroft. Stella Rabaut Coastal Scrub Habitat: Cindy Walter Thank you, Tim Neece, for the Not Fit for Man or Beast? 6 inside cover redesign.

Ruthann Donahue Docent Administrator Goodbye and Good Luck to Lisa! 8 Stan Dryden

Sandy Hale Fund Development Coordinator A.M. Allan Ranch 9 Lisa Cook Augie Louis Docent Coordinator/School Departments Group Coordinator Melissa Gobell A Message From the President 3 Sandy Hale Use your smart phone to visit our website.

Observations 4 Point Lobos Magazine is printed on recycled paper and pub-

lished four times per year by the Point Lobos Foundation. Quotes From the Docent Log 11 Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. PDF versions available Compiled and edited by Rick Pettit at www.pointlobos.org Memorial and Tribute Gifts 15

The mission of the Point Lobos Foundation is to support interpre- tive and educational programs that enhance the visitor’s experi- ence, and to assist State Parks in preserving Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Message from the President Sandy Hale With continued budget cuts, State Parks is forced make the docent library a more to make do with fewer rangers and lifeguards. useful resource for docent edu- Increasingly, the face of Point Lobos is not a ranger cation. but a park aide at the entrance kiosk or a volunteer A number of docents are docent. They are the unsung heroes of Point Lobos. helping bring new technology Every visitor to the Reserve is likely to encoun- to bear on interpretation and on the docent program ter a docent —leading a walk, at the Information generally. Paula Johnson has taken ownership of Station or Whalers Cabin, or walking a trail. What several technology challenges faced by the docent or- folks do not realize is how much behind-the-scenes ganization (e.g., internet access for the docent center). effort docents put in to assure a rewarding visitor Pauline Troia has helped many non-techno-savvy experience. Here are a few examples, meant not to docents get comfortable using the new docent web cover all docents worthy of mention but to highlight site. She even makes house calls! the range of docent support of the Reserve. A few Rochelle Dolan, Sue Nogare, Carol Marquardt docents such as Paul Reps spend so many hours and Spence Meyers, Marty Renault, Sue Miller, in extra service at the Reserve—scoping, protect- Stefeni Luman, Audie Housman, and other docents ing mothers and pups during seal pupping season, provide a broad range of unseen support, including photographing, etc., —that some have been accused assuring that all time slots at the Information Station of living there. They enthusiastically share their pas- and Whalers Cabin are filled; maintaining supplies, sion for the wonders of Point Lobos with multitudes publications and merchandise at those locations; pro- of visitors every month. moting and supporting public walks and trail walks; Pat Sinclair and her training team have taken our keeping our binoculars and scopes in good working new-docent training program to ever-higher levels order; etc. to assure that new docents are prepared to effective- Wayne Cipperly and others are regularly out with ly and appropriately interact with visitors. sprayers, combating invasive plants throughout the Carol Bloner and her colleagues have reinvig- Reserve. Carol Bloner, Ron Lema, and others help orated docent continuing education programs, State Parks maintain Whalers Cabin and its collec- arranging stimulating speakers for the docents’ tions. Rick Pettit and others help with trail mainte- monthly meetings and discovering educational op- nance. portunities throughout the region. Docents such as Kevin Shabram and Celie Placzek Paul Gallup and his AV team, Ron Lema, and have used their considerable photography skills to others support the monthly meetings and other take most of the photos for the docent website and, events. Fred Brown videotapes monthly presenta- in Celie’s case, to document the effectiveness of the tions and posts them on the docent website, pro- prescribed burn at Mound Meadow. viding accessible knowledge for continued docent Ann Muto spearheaded formation of a poetry improvement. group that has become a model for docent interest Barbara Grace and other docents are spearhead- groups that enable docents to deepen their knowledge ing a docent effort to provide tours for people with of a particular area of interest, such as photography or disabilities to let them enjoy our easy access trails. Native American culture. Mark Fisler, Paul Mason, and others have ex- Finally, management of the docent program has panded our school outreach programs, with empha- been strengthened under Docent Administrator Stan sis on underserved schools. Reid Woodward and Dryden. Ed Clifton created the model for filling criti- other docents are continuing the specialized school cal positions in the docent organization. He also has programs on birds, geology, and Native Americans taken on editing the docent newsletter and continues that Reid and former Ranger Chuck Bancroft started to draw multitudes to his talks on geology and other many years ago. subjects. Lynne McCammon and her team of docents dili- This is but a small sampling of the hard work that gently carry out a Reserve-wide monthly otter count, the docents do, out of the public eye, to help visitors rain or shine. experience and learn from the wonders of Point Eileen Fukunaga and Paula Johnson work to Lobos. Next time you see a docent, thank them.

SUMMER 2012 3 Observations by Sparky Starkweather, State Park Squirrel Fall has fallen, winter back fish and regurgitate their catch for the young. has withered, spring For a number of years now the Canada goose has sprung, summer is has found great nesting sites around the Reserve. almost here, and baby Whalers Cove, the Pit, Moss Cove, and Weston birds are showing up Beach are good places to watch for them. Each everywhere! Once the morning I can hear the in-bound flight and the Bird Island Trail reopens honking as they pass overhead. A large num- with the completion ber of geese can also be found at Odello West. of the all-access remodeling, the views from Weston Beach is also a wonderful place to sit and Pelican Point will be magnificent. For years the just watch the killdeer and their chicks. The killdeer Brandt’s cormorants have nested on the inner will use a scrape or depression in the rocks to lay islands as well as the Big Island. Before the use their eggs. The spotted eggs are perfectly camou- of the pesticide DDT, brown pelicans were the flaged and well hidden in the rocky beach. Three dominant nester at the islands. (We all know the eggs hatch into long legged runners. They scurry story about the change in populations. Oh why from one place to anoth- didn’t we listen to Rachel Carson?) Hundreds and er with parents watch- hundreds of cormorants will cover the islands. ing dutifully. If danger Their nests are just far enough apart that they approaches the parent can’t steal from each other but close enough that will feign a broken wing they can offer some protection against the ever- and lure you away from present Western gulls looking for a free meal. the nest of the kids. Many years ago at Carmel Point in the eucalyp- Keep your distance and tus trees near Tor House there was a major nesting use binoculars so you site for black-crowned night herons. As more homes won’t disturb them. Killdeer Chick were built the birds departed looking for a new Mallards nest in the place to call home. The herons found that new home cover of vegetation along at Point Lobos. A number of years ago there were the waterways at Odello West and near the Carmel eight nesting sites. Recently I’ve only been able to River mouth. They can be seen in Whalers Cove and see five. Some of the nests are on the back-side of the of course at all the water hazards at the nearby golf islands so you have to watch the birds in flight and courses. The young venture out in neat little flotillas see where they go. The babies look like little dino- following the parents learning to dabble for algae. saurs but they quickly change into earth-colored ju- One of the more disturbing nesters in our area veniles. Working their way back and forth from the is the starling. These imported English birds are tide pools and other exposed pools the adults bring

Black-crowned Night Herons Brandt’s Cormorants Killdeer Nest

44 Point Lobos Magazine Images by Chuck Bancroft. Mallard with Ducklings Canadian Goose Goslings

found in huge numbers everywhere. They are very “punk” like. The kids grow up all too quick- cavity nesters using the holes from other nest- ly and fly away to begin their new adventures. ing birds to raise their young. I’ve seen trees with Wherever you walk in the Reserve or elsewhere woodpeckers, red-winged black birds, and star- around the peninsula carry your binoculars; look lings all using the same area. Even though the up into the trees and to the rocky cliff faces and starling is an invasive bird displacing many of meadows. Venture out to the sandy beaches and our native birds, the young are still pretty cute of course . Keep your ears wide sitting in an opening and crying out for food. open and listen. You may not see many of them but The birds I have the most fun watching are their songs and calls will be a symphony. Enjoy! the great blue herons. Four nests are found in the pines at Coal Chute Point. Adults make round trips from the meadows and cliffs to the nest bringing in branches to upgrade the huge nests. Three eggs are well hidden by the nesting material and one of the adults patiently sits and incubates. It doesn’t take long for the hatching, and before you know Killdeer Chick it the young are up and about growing quickly and making the nest look too small for the large birds. The clattering of the young when the adult comes back from foraging can be almost deafen- ing. Food is regurgitated to the open mouths of the young. Feathers fill in nicely, the feathers on their heads look like they have used too much product; Adult Great Blue Heron with Chicks

Starling Chicks Great Blue Heron Chicks Western Gull Chicks

SUMMER 2012 5 OASTAL SCRUB HABITAT: C NOT FIT FOR MAN OR BEAST? by Ruthann Donahue

The Northern California scrub: tat has been lost not nearly as glamorous as the rocky shore tide to development. pools or one of the last stands of native Mon- By contrast, na- terey Cypress. Even the word “scrub” sug- tive Northern Califor- gests a dirty floor or a stubborn spot. Neverthe- nia scrub can be seen less, nearly every visitor to Point Lobos passes from Point Sur to the through this habitat, but usually, with little notice Oregon coast, and or appreciation of its position in California ecol- Point Lobos is argu- ogy. The few steps between the Information Sta- ably one of the best tion parking lot and Sea Lion Point may one day examples with easy be the last native Northern California scrub. access. The North- The first documentation of the California scrub ern scrub plants are habitat likely occurred when Vizcaino explored the subject to the moderating effects of coastal fog. As California coast in the 17th century. From San Diego a result, more diversity in the plant population is to Santa Barbara, he sailed past the Southern Pacific observed. By definition, the dominant plant spe- coastal scrub habitat on the coastal bluffs. These cies is coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), but poison shores must have appeared far more welcoming oak, sage, and Ceanothus are common secondary than the steep, rocky cliffs abutting dense redwood flora. As one hikes through the scrub on the Sea forests that he observed as the expedition moved Lion Point trail, the character of this challenging en- northward. Then, just north of Point Sur, the land- vironment becomes evident. At first the plants are scape became somewhat more familiar; Vizcaino nearly 6’ tall and considerable diversity is observed. had reached the Northern Pacific coastal scrub. As the path winds toward the ocean, plants become Not until the late 20th century did ecologists more stunted and less diverse, and as one makes precisely define the scrub habitat. Currently, the the turn near the trail end, wind and spray of the widely accepted definition of this environment is: ocean pick up and plants that are able to survive • An arid plant communty the challenge become sparse. Seasonal wildflow- along the Pacific coast bluffs ers add their color and diversity to this trail as well • Most plants less than 3 meters (10’) tall as many other scrub communities in the reserve. • Less than 10” rainfall per year The scrub community moderates bluff erosion • Temperatures above freezing year round as well as serving as a source of protection and Two distinct subtypes of California scrub have food for several animals. Birds find seasonal ber- been documented. The Southern coastal scrub expe- ries, seeds, and insects within the brush and warm riences hot, dry summers and is dominated by sage. weather brings a near-certain sighting of a lizard Only a remnant of what Vizcaino would have seen or two. However, the coastal scrub is not a desir- remains. Approximately 840 acres of native habitat able habitat for man or beast. The abundance of is preserved poison oak and the dense underbrush does not at Point Loma invite picnics, casual exploration, or meditative as the Ca- dreaming among the flora. Man’s best apprecia- brillo National tion of this habitat is from a well-maintained path! Monument. The principal needs of other mammals that wan- The remainder der into this environment are shelter, food, and of the habi- water. Approximately 23 mammalian species are

6 6 Point Lobos Magazine Bush rabbit by Paul Reps; woodrat by Chuck Bancroft. found in the Point Lobos Reserve, but few find the er females and often to return to his own home, scrub a suitable habitat. Bobcat, fox, deer, rabbit, which may be in a tree, or on the ground; re- skunk, and raccoon as well as several rodents are treat to a tree house is not a universal behavior. scrub visitors, however the coyote and woodrat In contrast to the woodrat, the coyote finds the can serve as excellent examples of the unsuitabil- scrub a poor source of shelter and water, but a use- ity of the scrub habitat for many larger mammals. ful source of food. The dense, woody flora and The dusky-footed woodrat’s presence is obvious cement-like earth of the scrub are not suitable for a as their house structures occur within the scrub, the coyote den. In addi- most notable being the iconic stick house near the tion, like deer, bobcat, summit of Granite Point. However, similar to many and larger mammals, other reserve mammals, this animal is primarily ri- a source of fresh water parian, because the forest environment provides bet- is essential for coy- ter food and water access. Woodrats are extremely ote survival, making solitary animals and only one, or very occasion- a riparian environ- ally two, adults, live in each house, and three to six ment more attractive. homes are required for a sustainable community. Coyotes flourish Although these animals are strictly nocturnal, often in a huge range of habitats largely because they are not even venturing out of their nest during a full well adapted to an omnivorous diet; however the moon, evidence of their presence can be observed coyote brush is not edible, even for its namesake on wet trails. mammal. Coyotes will feed on, and obtain valuable The woodrat water from, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and berries. track con- However, they easily convert from herbivore to car- sists of four- nivore, or vice versa, to meet caloric demands. The digit front leg small rodents and rabbits visiting the scrub are valu- prints and able additions to the diet. The coyote gains advan- five-digit rear tage in this hunt since brush rabbits, in particular, leg prints. freely travel from their forest burrows to the scrub in Since these search of green growth, particularly in the spring. are relatively What good is the scrub? Why not remove the large rodents, poison oak? How can importance be assigned to a ranging from habitat so hostile to many mammals? The construc- 10”–19”, tive lesson that the scrub teaches is that the “value” the tracks are often mistaken for raccoon prints. of a habitat is not centered around resident mam- Woodrats require a consistent source of water, as mals, or other animals for that matter, but rather do most mammals. In the laboratory, mortality oc- lies in the natural selection of flora that the land can curs beginning at four days of dehydration. Some support. There is intrinsic value, as well as beauty, water can be ingested in an herbivore diet, consist- in the basic organization of the scrub flora and the ing of seasonal berries, poison oak leaves, and for- contribution of this ecosystem to California’s diverse est fungi. The scrub poison oak and berries can be landscape. When you walk to Sea Lion Point, take stored for a short time, but during that time, de- a moment to slow down and consider that this part hydration occurs, so the value of these plants as a of Point Lobos may one day be the only truly acces- source of water is limited. As a source of food and sible path through the Northern California scrub. water, the scrub probably is a C- for the woodrat. Although not as desirable as the forest, the scrub can be reasonable source of woodrat shel- ter. The stick houses are usually so dense that major predators such as coyotes and bobcats are dissuaded from attacking them—too much trou- ble for one meal! However, tree nests, an addi- tional source shelter, cannot be built in the scrub. As a note, after the annual breeding, the male abandons the nest, sometimes in search of oth-

Woodrat habitat and coyote by Chuck Bancroft; Sea Lion Point trail by Paul Reps. SUMMER 2012 7 We regretfully announce that Lisa Cook has resigned as Development Director. Lisa’s husband Eric unexpectedly was transferred from the Naval Postgraduate School to Germany. Darn that Navy anyway. How could they do this without checking with us first?

Lisa was hired as our first Development Director in the fall of 2010. She inherited a “system” that was only a small step up from keeping member information in a shoebox. We routinely lost member information, forgot to ask them to renew their memberships, etc., etc. We had one member event a year, the Moonlight Walk. We occasionally submitted grant proposals, if someone on the Board was willing to write the proposal.

In the year-and-a-half since Lisa took over, we have installed an excellent member/ donor relationship management system. We have largely gotten through the pain of discovering members we didn’t know we had until we received a sharp note in the mail. We systematically identify and pursue grant opportunities. We have upgraded the Moonlight Walk and are adding other member events. We have launched two special appeals, one for the Sister Anna Voss Memorial fund and the other for replacement of the roof of the Whalers Cabin museum. Due largely to Lisa’s efforts, our membership dues and donations have increased from less than $45,000 in 2009 to over $185,000 in 2011.

Lisa has been an absolute delight to work with. She is a cornucopia of ideas but also has the ability, the perseverance, and the good humor to rally others to put those ideas into action.

Fortunately we hired a great assistant to Lisa, Tracy Gillette-Ricci, a couple of months ago. Her “learning curve” is about to steepen. We also intend to hire another Development Director soon.

We will miss Lisa, her husband, and her two daughters Emma and Sofi— all regular visitors to Point Lobos. We wish them success and happiness in Germany. . . but in our hearts we wish they didn’t have to go. –Sandy Hale

88 Point Lobos Magazine n June of 1993 I attended a press conference an- A.M. Allan. We met while we were both attending Inouncing the acquisition of 1,320 acres on the UC Berkeley. I was invited down to Carmel to meet east side of Highway 1 from Point Lobos. Donald her parents, David and Sabra, and spend time at Murphy, State Parks Director, made a short speech Point Lobos and what the family called “the ranch.” at the event. He challenged I scored huge points those gathered to think about with Holly’s father what should be done with the when, after picking newly acquired land, and par- the tiny huckleber- ticularly, what the name of ries on Huckleberry the new state park should be. Hill (not the one We have now begun a general in Pebble Beach) I planning process directed by baked a pie for din- State Parks including this land, ner (if you want Point Lobos State Reserve, to start out on the Carmel River State Beach, and right foot with your Hatton Canyon. The name of future father-in-law this new park unit is an im- I highly recom- portant feature of this plan- mend baking a pie ning process. Hopefully, we with handpicked will have a meaningful name berries). Another fa- that represents the stewardship vorite spot was Mi- that we all want to convey. chaels’ Hill, named    after Judge Michaels I joined the Board of Direc- who homesteaded tor of Point Lobos Foundation the parcel. There a little over a year ago. When are few scenes I started we attended a tour of more precious than the State Parks facilities, includ- the view from Mi- ing a stop at the Garden Road chaels’ Hill when headquarters. I was struck at the sunset is in the how the maps labeled the east distance and Point side of Highway 1 as “Point Lobos spreads out Lobos Ranch.” (Ed.note: See under your feet. inside cover, for example.) The We also frequently name was picked by the de- Alexander Macmillan Allan hiked up the San Jose Creek Canyon veloper as a marketing name Oct. 23, 1859–Jan. 30, 1930 for a hotel land development (known simply as that was to go on these scenic “the canyon”) cross- parcels. Using this name now does not seem ap- ing the creek three propriate now that ownership is under State Parks. times and often getting quite wet in the process. My love of Point Lobos and the ranchlands east The wildflowers, the redwood groves, the oak trees of Highway 1 began when I fell in love with Holly with their thick branches cutting the sun light are all Hudson. Holly is one of the great grandchildren of spectacularly beautiful. I married Holly in 1981. The

Illustrations provided by Augie Louis. SUMMER 2012 9 ranch is still very much a part of our life together. years buying back the lots in order to take them off In 1993, the Hudson family was faced with how the public record. Sandy Lydon, history professor to participate with the hotel developer as the fam- at Cabrillo College, pointed out the anomaly of this ily partner, in regards to the parcels on the east unusual situation. “At a time when more and more side of Highway 1. When the possibility of acquir- land became subdivided, sold off, and developed, ing the lands with Proposition 117 funds then we have a man who bought a subdivision and pains- voiding the hotel development arose, the family takingly pieced this magnificent land back together supported this turn of events. The effort was suc- so it could be preserved and enjoyed by us all.” cessful with the purchase closing escrow in June He also undertook ranching, a dairy, and started a of that year. “” was not to be. partnership with Gennosuke Kodani to fish and can So what should the name be then? As part of the abalone. He encouraged picnicking and visits by lo- Hudson family I have always been very impressed cals and artists, and when these uses seemed to be by the stories of damaging A.M. Allan. He the Point started working he put up in a coal mine a gate to in Pennsylvania control the as a child. He entrance lost his father and pro- at age seven, tect the when he died area. He in rough-and- didn’t lock ready Califor- things up. nia as a 49er. He used He obtained the lands an engineering wisely, degree from and University of Il- opened linois. He came access ap- out to Califor- propriate- nia to work for ly. At an Adolph Spreck- important el, Joseph histori- Emery, and Plans for the Carmelito subdivision, Point Lobos City. cal cross- Lucky Bald- road, A.M. win in building horse race tracks as well as Allan took the road toward stewardship. many other structures. He came to Point Lobos There have been many important crossroads at the request of Joseph Emery to shore up his in the history of Point Lobos and the surrounding Mal Paso coal mine. When that venture failed he ranch. A.M. Allan acquired the first parcels and be- made the first purchase of parcels at Point Lo- gan preservation efforts in 1898. State Parks acquired bos in 1898. I think it is safe to say he fell in love Point Lobos in 1933. Land Trust acquired with Point Lobos, and his management deci- the 1,320 acres on the east side of Highway 1 with sions had profound impact on our lives today. Proposition 117 assistance on behalf of State Parks A.M. Allan had a vision of preservation and in 1993. The current crossroad is right now as we stewardship. By the time he came on the scene, there consider a new name for this park unit and the pos- were already competing visions for Point Lobos and sible uses. Using the name “A.M. Allan State Park” the surrounding area. The Carmelito subdivision instead of “Point Lobos Ranch” would recognize was in the process of being developed, and about this man’s important contributions, and continue 1,000 home lots were already recorded. He spent his solid vision for stewardship into the future.

1010 Point Lobos Magazine The Circle of Life: Birds Pairing, Otters and Seals Birthing, and Gray Whales Returning North

January 15 – Ann Muto since poetry in English may not at a minus .6, which allowed On our guided walk my husband have been too comprehensible the bones to be exposed at the Art and I had visitors from to them. When I finished, shoreline. Inexorably, the circle Denmark. We encouraged the the husband explained to me of life for this marine mammal visitors to scan the waters for that they had spotted a whale was rounding toward midnight. whale spouts. Unfortunately spout over my shoulder, and The fish in the cove cleaned we had to move on without that it had made their day! it down nearly to the bare spotting a spout. At our last stop bones, leaving a few scraps for overlooking Headland Cove February 19 – Fred Brown a Western gull, who was later I shared a closing poem, and I noticed the almost fully intact chased away by four turkey while I read the Danish couple skeletal remains of a sea otter vultures, who dismantled what conversed excitedly in their lying on the beach at Whalers was left as the tide came in and language. I gave them a “pass” Cove. The low tide was out reclaimed the scattered remains.

Photo by Fred Brown. SUMMER 2012 11 from the across Carmel Bay, three top of the whales spouted, and then stand, disappeared. And the whales to the were not cooperating by giving pleasure of us the typical 3–5 blows before visitors. disappearing for a deep dive. Instead, we were lucky to March 1 – get a single blow before they Dave Evans were lost to sight beneath the Another waves, making them hard to billowy, spot. But when we did, oh my, blustery even visitors from Washington Point and Alaska, who frequently Lobos day see whales, stood transfixed. but no whales ... March 15 – Fred Brown until I got When the kids I was leading February 22 – Eileen Fukunaga in the truck to It was a beautiful, sunny day to head home. be at the Reserve. I was leading But then: a a school walk in the afternoon single blow along Sand Hill Cove. We were just beyond looking at a pelagic cormorant’s the north side nest when I spied movement of Headland on the largest rock in the cove. Cove. It turned out to be a sea otter Grabbing foraging for food. It must have the camera, had its fill because soon after, I hurried to it settled down and looked The Pinnacle. like it was ready for a nap. And just in time. About February 23 – Marty Renault halfway Thirty or so Risso’s dolphins cavorted in Carmel Bay today. Monarch butterflies floated on balmy breezes. California poppies bloomed brightly out near Ixchenta Point. Feels like winter is definitely over.

February 28 – Connie Dallmann The water fountain near the Information Station has a rather steady drip. Some kind soul fashioned a little basin to catch the water, and a white-crowned sparrow was enjoying his bath with great enthusiasm. The resident scrub jay didn’t fit, but he satisfied himself by drinking

1212 Point Lobos Magazine Otter by Paul Reps; whale spout and killdeer by Dave Evans. the advantageous position! It could pull and breathe at the same time. The gull gave one last mighty yank and flew to the beach to enjoy the feast. Our visitors expressed deep concern that the gull may have drowned the cormorant. I suggested instead that the cormorant had simply let go and swum off.

April 12 – Stan Dryden A young woman was standing by the side of the road to the Whalers Cove parking lot, reveling in the antics of the harbor seal pups with their moms in the cove. She was touched by the nuzzling on a school walk arrived at the appearance of the birds that tend of the pairs and amused by the Guillemot Island outlook, one of to frequent that beach (see photo). attempts of the pup to catch a ride the boys spotted a sea otter out at the far point of the rock. Then we March 30 – Tom Clifton all heard a very loud whistling sound that echoed around the This is the time to see birds outcroppings and seemed to be pairing up. The pelagic a cry for help. We focused on the cormorants are well on their otter and determined that that way; as are the great blue herons. was where the sound was coming On a bird walk on Monday from. Then a fainter, similar we witnessed a heron fly off, sound from the other side of the find a branch, bring it back to island answered back. In about the nest, hand it off to its mate ten seconds an otter pup came and then make a display to let flying around the island point the world know that it was the and swam headlong into the arms world’s greatest branch picker. of his or her mother, knocking Yesterday, it was the thrashers her for a loop as they then both turn, loudly proclaiming that on mom’s backand glad to have tumbled over and over together they were the best thrashers someone with whom she could for a while in the waves. That on the planet. I witnessed an share the experience. The woman garnered many ahs, and wow- interesting display between a was in the area for a photo shoot that-was-really- neat from the pair on the ground. With those later in the day, but was not kids and chaperones and me. beaks, that just looks dangerous. brandishing the tools of her trade.

March 22 – Rick Pettit March 27 – Pat Sinclair A youngster on a school walk told A few visitors and I watched me excitedly, a while after we had a battle for a fish between a visited Weston Beach, that he had Western gull and a cormorant. seen a “prison bird” down amidst The cormorant was under water the shoreline rocks. A what? That engaged in a tug of war with was a puzzle, until—of course! the gull, which clearly held How apt! It brought to mind the

Otter with pup and gull love by Dave Evans; gull and fish by Pat Sinclair. SUMMER 2012 13 Then she moved off , strained a to the lower portion of Sea Lion bit, and the afterbirth emerged. Point Trail. There we watched Within minutes a convoy of gulls them make their progress into began circling, one of which the Devil’s Cauldron. It took snagged it and defended its prize. them a few tries, but they finally Emotions surged among all of decided to swim through the us as we observed nature in the channel between the largest raw. I don’t believe we will ever Sea Lion Point rocks and the again regard a healthy newborn ones furthest away. They’ve pup as less than a wondrous always seemed impressively occasion to be celebrated. huge from the trail overlook, When asked about that, she said but hearing their blows and she would be experiencing life seeing their immense size from later through the lens of a camera April 16 – Pat Sinclair so close was truly breathtaking. and just wanted to enjoy Point Happily, we often DO get what Lobos unimpeded by the limited we wish for. Last night another May 8 – Rick Pettit field of view of a camera. Can’t mom successfully gave birth to a blame her for that! But I couldn’t very large, healthy looking pup A full moon has brought deep resist pointing out that there were to the delight of us docents and minus tides in its wake, and some otters quite close to shore a group of delighted visitors. the teeming world beneath on the other side of the cove, and the waters of Weston Cove is told her how to get there. She April 20 – Larry Rychener revealed. Two other docents, expressed a great deal of interest, Dave and Gretchen Evans, are Last Thursday my wife Carol and I suggested that she might far out into the low-tide zone, and I were scoping along the Sea find herself disappointed to be picking their way through the Lion Point Trail when I noticed a at that vantage point without algae-draped rocks, peering movement on the conglomerate a camera. The next time I saw into this usually hidden world. outcrop northwest of the small her she was getting a camera I kneel down, and see scuttling beach at the head of Headland with telephoto lens out of her crabs, a tiny chiton, two skulking Cove. Training my binoculars car. The devil made me do it! sculpins, a multitude of shell on same, I discovered a sea otter fragment-bedecked anemones, hauled out on a mussel bed and and a spotted nudibranch. A April 14 – Pat Sinclair grazing on the tasty bivalves. safe distance from all human A mother harbor seal was rolling From time to time the otter intruders, a killdeer forages around on the sand, with just a would be washed off the rocks among the exposed rocks. Then hint of a baby poking out. Three by a wave, but would return to a black-crowned night heron visitors, one of whom has been at continue grazing until eventually appears, and silently wheels the Reserve all day just waiting it was defeated by the rising over the cove. Gretchen comes for this occasion, are as raptly tide covering the mussels. over and shows me her prize: intent as we are. A push, and an abalone shell, an iridescent more of the fetus is exposed. But April 25 – Dave Evans cornucopia of sealife. Several wait, something doesn’t look While pointing out what we like sorts of algae have attached right. Instead of a beautifully to call the Sand Hill Cove otter, themselves, tiny tube worm wrinkled, round newborn, the one that likes to haul out dwellings abound, and look: there this mom delivered a stillborn with the seals on “their” rock, are two miniscule sea stars tucked pup. Greenish-yellow, thin, I suggested to some visitors under the curved edge. Then lifeless. We all stand in horror that they keep their eyes on the sharp cries grab our attention— at the sight. Mother harbor seal ocean along South Shore Trail we look up and see a pair of approached the pup and nosed for whales. On cue, a mother and Western gulls, intently focused it; then moved away. Again her calf swam by just outside the at keeping the cycle going. and again we watched as she cove. We all hustled up the hill attempted to get it to respond. along Sand Hill Trail and down

1414 Point Lobos Magazine Newborn harbor seal by Dave Evans.  memorial and tribute gifts  February 15 through May 15, 2012

MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE GIFTS • Robert Danziger Memorial gifts provide a way for people to • John Dotson express their sympathy when words just • Gwen Gerety-Hays don’t seem adequate. Such gifts also play an • Fred Helms important role in enhancing the programs at • Gene Laskowski Point Lobos. Your contribution to The Point • James Messer Lobos Foundation is sincerely appreciated. • Charles Pasternack • Kirk Pessner and Russ Miller • Zora Sweeney in memory of Nancy Swan • J.B. Tostevin • Phyllis Charlton in memory of Nancy Swan • George Warfel Jr. and Lydia Degarrod • Barbara Fopp in memory of Nancy Swan • Karin Stratton • Lois Blt in memory of Nancy Swan • Herbert and Barbara Kreissler SISTER ANNA VOSS MEMORIAL FUND in memory of Nancy Swan The Sister Anna Voss Fund was created by • Iyana Leveque in memory of Nancy Swan Carl and Carol Voss, and Caroline and David • Lindsay and Becky Hanna in memory Appling to honor Sister Anna Voss, the first of Point Lobos docent Pete Thatcher Director of Docent Training at Point Lobos. • Patrick Driskel in memory of Eugene Kodani Sister Anna developed many of the materials • John and Eugenie Childress in that are still in use today at Point Lobos. Use memory of Eugene Kodani of donations made to the Sister Anna Voss • Joyce Esaki in memory of Roberta Bender Memorial Fund, and the income generated by TRIBUTE GIFTS it, is restricted to the following purposes: Tribute gifts honor friends and loved ones on their (a) Point Lobos Docent Group birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions. education and direct support. These gifts help keep Point Lobos a vibrant place. (b) School education outreach programs relating to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. • Steven Dennis in honor of Sandy Hale’s Birthday Corporate and Business Support: • Rolando Vieta in honor of Matt Vieta • Chevron HumanKind Point Lobos Foundation • Adobe Systems Inc. • Apple Park Guardian Program Supporters Monthly Guardian supporters are a group of in- Foundations: dividuals who elect to give to the Point Lobos • Gaylord and Dorothy Foundation through monthly payments. These Donnelley Foundation tax-deductible monthly gifts provide the Point • California State Parks Foundation Lobos Foundation with a consistent and reliable • Tides Foundation income stream, allowing us to focus more re- WHALERS CABIN FUND: sources on our mission of maintaining the high standards the public expects at Point Lobos. • Jerry Loomis • Janet Rosen • Lisa and Eric Cook • Joe Meltzer

SUMMER 2012 15 NON-PROFIT Point Lobos Foundation ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID Route 1, Box 221789 PERMIT NO. 35 Carmel, CA 93923 CARMEL 831-625-1470 CALIFORNIA

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16 16 Point Lobos Magazine Photo by Dida Kutz.