Gaviota Coast - Another Secret Spot

[billie_morini]

Our intrepid duo, Roxy Ridgeback and billie, struck out to another of their favorite secret spots in the pristine Gaviota Coast. This adventure was especially enjoyed because billie completed three weeks of brutal business travels and meetings and Roxy missed him while he was away. With joy and warm weather, Roxy and billie set out to enjoy a brilliant, sunny day.

[billie_morini]

Low tide exposed the algae. We noticed an unusual concentration of brine in the air. The concentration reminded me of the Atlantic Ocean along the New Jersey shore. Roxy has no point of reference. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara County.

[billie_morini]

Shallow water vegetation. This vegetation is very important to the local ecosystem. Some reasons it is vibrant include clean water, adequate UV light from sunshine, and carbon originating from petroleum seeps.

[billie_morini]

The shallow water was uncharacteristically warm. Neither Roxy or billie complained about this.

[billie_morini]

We saw no one, except for this little guy!

[billie_morini]

We saw many swallow nests. It's Spring and swallows are busy breeding and raising young. We saw 3 locations like this where there'd be 30 to 40 nests in the cliffs and a couple hundred swallows flying about. Swallows are normally unfazed by the presence of man. However, the swallows in the nesting sites we saw were unnerved by our presence. This may reflect how pristine the Gaviota Coast is. In contrast, I recall working on farms with swallows buzzing around our heads.

[billie_morini]

Geologic contacts are obvious along this cliff face. It is easy to see the white dolomite, brown-gray mudstone, and thin soil profile on top of all of this.

[billie_morini]

Follow Roxy's tracks to see where she was laying in wait to ambush billie. Did she surprise him? No, but they shared a laugh when the "ambush" was completed.

[billie_morini]

Pelican flocks regularly flew overhead in a variety of formations.

[billie_morini]

billie found this Sea Hare. It was nearly 8 inches (20 cm) long! This is big! For those unfamiliar with Sea Hares, you may learn more here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_sea_hare. We didn't dare disturb this hare because we didn't want to get inked.

[billie_morini]

Here's some crazy upturned marine geologic beds. Roxy does not look intensely at them for fear of becoming hypnotized.

[billie_morini]

We rested during our adventure. Here's Roxy in the cool shade in the big cave and the small cave. Our adventure consumed the majority of the day. It was warm and we played together a lot. Roxy is becoming an older girl and needs to rest every now and then during our adventures. billie doesn't mind because these adventures are not as much fun without Roxy.

[billie_morini]

here's billie watching the tide roll in during his Mexican beer commercial.

[billie_morini]

Final beach scene today.

[billie_morini]

Back in our Isuzu Trooper following our big adventure. Roxy consumed a bowl of water and a half bowl of dog food once she jumped into our Trooper. Now she is really sleepy! Roxy was as silent as a church mouse all the way home. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.

Until our next adventure, we wish you happy tales and wagging tails!

[dtc]

Fantastic

that sea hare is up there with the cuttlefish as the ugliest thing around

[billie_morini]

Fantastic

that sea hare is up there with the cuttlefish as the ugliest thing around

dtc, you know about beauty and the beholding eye!
This sea hare may actually be a California Black Sea Hare
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplysia_vaccaria

If so, these guys do not produce ink. This things can get big. Their maximum length and weight is 3 ft (1 m) and about 30 lbs (14 kg)!

P.S. cuttlefish are cute

[oldmansurfer]

some of these sea slugs are definitely cute

[BoMan]

Pelican flocks regularly flew overhead in a variety of formations.

I love watching pelicans dive after fish especially when the seagulls try to steal their catch.

[MartinBlasiusson]

Back in our Isuzu Trooper following our big adventure. Roxy consumed a bowl of water and a half bowl of dog food once she jumped into our Trooper. Now she is really sleepy! Roxy was as silent as a church mouse all the way home. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.

Until our next adventure, we wish you happy tales and wagging tails!

Cute dog!