Bobcat and Weasel

Sounds like the title for a children’s book – one that could be written here at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.  These animals are spotted every now and then and its always a thrill.  This last June, a bobcat was spotted walking past the picnic tables and into the woods.  That same month a young Long-tailed Weasel ran past the visitor center and disappeared into a hole in the ground.

 

Nightime visitor

Love this blog entry by Bree about a nightime visitor to the ESNERR nursery.

http://elkhornsloughrestoration.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-at-nursery.html

 

Racoon in Tree at Elkhorn Slough

I love this photo.  It was sent to me by ESF’s own Kevin Contreras.

It was taken back in February.

“I found this racoon sleeping in the crook of an oak tree near Elkhorn Slough.  She must have been sleeping soundly since I didn’t wake her while I moved in close for a photo.”

by Kevin Contreras

 

Mid March at the Slough

We found this blog from a teacher who attended the recent Elkhorn Slough Reserve’s teacher workshop.

She gave a nice account of her day’s sightings and some nice photos too.

http://egretsnest.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/trip-report-elkhorn-slough/

Here’s some of her bird sightings:

Canada Goose – Branta canadensis     2
Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos     8
Bufflehead – Bucephala albeola     10
Common Merganser – Mergus merganser     1
Western Grebe – Aechmophorus occidentalis     1
Double-crested Cormorant – Phalacrocorax auritus     10
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias     1
Great Egret – Ardea alba     8
Snowy Egret – Egretta thula     4
Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura     4
White-tailed Kite – Elanus leucurus     1
Northern Harrier – Circus cyaneus     1
California Gull – Larus californicus     X
Forster’s Tern – Sterna forsteri     10
Anna’s Hummingbird – Calypte anna     3
Belted Kingfisher – Megaceryle alcyon     1
Black Phoebe – Sayornis nigricans     4
Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) – Aphelocoma californica californica     2
American Crow – Corvus brachyrhynchos     4
Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichas     2   **LIFER**
Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia     4

 

Seal Pups at Elkhorn Slough

The first Harbor Seal pups of the season have been seen at Elkhorn Slough…

http://elkhornsloughsafari.blogspot.com/2009/03/first-seal-puppy.html

 

The Story behind the Sea Otter with Video Camera

Many of you have seen the now famous photo of the sea otter holding a video camera taken by Enrique Aguirre.  Here is the story behind that incredible photo in the photographer’s own words.

 

Elkhorn Slough Otters never disappoint

Just when I thought I’d seen every otter photo possible – This one is a must see…

http://enriqueaguirre.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-wild-wild-world.html

 

Gray Fox Family Video

This is a video filmed by Ken Collins, our Assistant Land Steward at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, and posted on our new Elkhorn Slough Foundation You Tube channel.

 

Sea Otters!

The Elkhorn Slough Safari is a great way to explore the Slough – yesterday they reported seeing 66 otters.

http://elkhornsloughsafari.blogspot.com/2008/09/sea-otters-galore.html

 

Mule Deer Spike

This photo of a young male Mule Deer yearling was sent in by Ken Collins, Land Steward for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.  This was taken at Blohm Ranch, a property that is owned by The Nature Conservancy using a remote camera with an infrared trigger.