Peggy and I watched this pair of Brandt cormorants at the Point Lobos Reserve near Carmel, California as they shared a quiet snuggle. We had watched the two interacting for 10 minutes and we couldn’t help but think how human they seemed to be. The cobalt blue neck pouch and the white whisker-like feathers are both signs of mating season.
This is the second half of our series on Point Lobos. In my last post, we visited the northern part of the park and emphasized the natural beauty of the area. Today, we are going to explore the southern part of Point Lobos where we will feature the cormorants and seals. We had the opportunity— I might even say privilege— of watching cormorants as they went about the serious (and sometimes humorous) process of attracting and interacting with mates and mother seals as they watched over their babies. We will continue to explore the beauty of the park as well. How could we not? It’s Earth Day.
A California sea gull insisted on being in our first photos of the two cormorants shown above. The cormorants divided their attention between communicating with each other and checking their surroundings. Or maybe they were necking.They totally ignored the seagull. Is this a cormorant kiss?The gull decided to vacate the premises. It had gathered something in his beak that might have been nesting materials. It’s that time of the year. On the left, you can see another cormorant that apparently had something to say to the couple.In my imagination, she was seeking advice.Just before, the female had been eyeing a male on the rock above that seemed to be totally ignoring her. I imagined her asking, “How do I get his attention?”“You have to strut your stuff.”“We mean really strut your stuff.” Right about then, a pelican flew over and scared away her potential mate. She was not happy. Peggy caught the action.Meanwhile this pair went on with their discussion. Possibly they were discussing nest building. It’s the male’s responsibility. “You need to get busy, dear.” Was she egging him on?Actually, an important part of the mating ritual is for the male to build a nest with the hope of attracting a female to use it. We watched another male advertise his services. It appeared that the the nest was a little too makeshift. The female did not seem impressed. Maybe it was the fact that she had just watched him steal the materials from another cormorant! You can see the beak of the crime victim in the upper left hand corner about to deliver a peck.I liked this photo because it displayed the white whisker-feathers a Brandt cormorant grows during mating season. It also showed one of the big feet it uses for swimming. The cormorant is an excellent swimmer and can dive as deep as 200 feet in pursuit of fish.A final portrait of cormorants doing their thing.A seal birthing area was located right next to Bird Island where we watched the cormorants.This photo shows the steep cliffs that serve to protect the seals and their babies. It also shows the advantage of having a good telephoto lens to get close. Peggy and I happily snapped away.A mom and her baby had settled next to another seal that looked pregnant. The baby worked its way around to the other side of its mom. Was it looking for a hug?You may have wondered why we thought the other seal was pregnant. Well…There were several seals and pups in the area. I used this photo in my last post.We watched a mother seal swim in with her baby. A wave had washed the baby up against the mother.Peggy caught this shot of the mom checking up on her baby. Are you curious about all of the blue/grey/white stuff the seals are lying in?They are Velella, a small jelly fish that comes with a sail on its back. It normally lives offshore and uses the wind to move about in large numbers. Occasionally a strong Westerly will blow thousands of them ashore, however, where they die. And stink. I’ve seen and smelled them several times over the years. Apparently the odor does not bother the seals.Moving on from smelly jellies, here’s an Indian Paint Brush…And crashing waves…Lots of them…More…What they looked like close up. I don’t know which of us took this photo. It may have been a mistake, but I found it very interesting when I was looking through our photos for this post. Having expended its energy, a wave gently retreats back to the ocean.Neither Peggy nor I can ever resist stones that require little imagination to turn into creatures. We were sort of thinking Easter Island.Nor can we resist a flower garden framed like this?A series of sea caves were also quite photogenic. The water had a translucent quality.This rock offered two caves. Eventually the caves will cut all of the way through and create a sea stack. Of course the ‘eventually’ could mean a few hundred thousand or million years. Why hurry.The color of the water caught our attention here.These islands mark the southern boundary of Point Lobos.A final photo to wrap up our two posts on Point Lobos and another reminder of how beautiful and precious the world we live in is. And how important it is that we protect it. Next up: We go inland to Pinnacles National Park. One of the latest created in America’s great system.Peggy and I are in Sacramento now, heading out to our next Pacific Coast location: Pt. Reyes National Seashore. We came to town to visit with family and friends, which we always do when in the area. This time we had another special treat: Meeting with Jenny Collins, a fellow blogger on Word Press whose blog is Bulldog Travels/Photos by Jenny. Jenny and I started following each other 9 or 10 years ago. We have a lot in common. She loves traveling, nature, and photography, as many of us do. We also come from the same area, however, which adds another layer. This time we met at a restaurant in Auburn which Peggy and I used to frequent 30 years ago. It was the first time we met Jenny and we had a delightful time. I was reminded of just how valuable the friendships we make on WordPress are. Jenny’s last post was a gorgeous photo essay on Yosemite National Park. I recommend that you check it out at bulldog travels.com.
A wonderful collection of love with seals and babies and the cormorants are so special! I like the one showing the feathers when it is mating time. I did not know that! I can only imagine that you and Peggy have learned so many interesting things in your travels! And meeting a fellow blogger is a plus! My daughter, granddaughter and I are planning a trip to Marrowstone Island up by Port Townsend the end of June. We will be staying in an old farm house by the water and really looking forward to that trip. My granddaughter graduates from high school in June and has been accepted at Gonzaga for the nursing program! Much excitement! Blessings to you on your travels!
I enjoyed your commentary about the cormorants. During our TX Gulf travels, I spent a great deal of time photographing and observing birds and would spin similar tale’s. It’s always fun connecting with fellow bloggers in person. Some great friendships have developed via this platform. I too have been following Jenny for quite some time. She takes beautiful photos.
I knew I would love this post when I read the title! Your cormorant and seal photos are wonderful. And then I saw the waves crashing on the rocks and you just made my day! Thanks for a beautiful post and for introducing me to Bulldog Travels.
Another fabulous post, Curt! I love the seals, especially the seal birthing area, and interesting to learn about the small jelly fish. Funny how the smell doesn’t bother the seals. 🙂 The color of the water in the sea caves is so beautiful, it’s almost unreal. And how wonderful you got to meet Jenny! Great photo of you three and all the photos are gorgeous. Have fun in Pt. Reyes!
Thanks, Lauren. I had the same question about the seals, especially since they seemed to go out of their way to sleep on top of the jelly fish! The water was gorgeous and we really enjoyed Jenny. We are happily settled into the campground at Olema and enjoying all of the beauty here. I’ve been to Pt. Reyes so many times it is almost like coming home!
There is a beach near us where seals arrive annually to give birth. They are so ungainly stranded on the sand but become graceful once back in the water.
I’m not a fan of cormorants. In the two lake areas where I frequently take bird photos, the cormorants have taken over the biggest, most beautiful tree and turned the leaves white with bird poop!
I absolutely delighted to see the photo with you and Jenny. We have been following each other for years as well. It’s always one of the best things about blogging: when we get to meet a blogger in person. The rest of this post is also wonderful, and I simply love the cormorant photos. The blue neck and white whiskers are a delight, thank you for sharing your imagined community dramas going on there, ha ha. You made it more fun.
We are in total agreement on Jenny, Crystal! And the delight in meeting people who we have come to know through blogging. You are one, after all! As for the cormorants, I was ‘interpreting.’ Grin.
I was astonished by the colors in these cormorants. They’re quite fancy compared to ours! Of course, the water there’s pretty fancy, too — and the rocks are splendid.
At least part of that color, Linda, was due to the fact that they were looking for mates, i.e. wearing their best clothes. As for the rocks and water, they are both reasons Peggy and I like the Pacific Coast!
Wandering through Time and Place 
Happy Earth Day! 🌎
A wonderful collection of love with seals and babies and the cormorants are so special! I like the one showing the feathers when it is mating time. I did not know that! I can only imagine that you and Peggy have learned so many interesting things in your travels! And meeting a fellow blogger is a plus! My daughter, granddaughter and I are planning a trip to Marrowstone Island up by Port Townsend the end of June. We will be staying in an old farm house by the water and really looking forward to that trip. My granddaughter graduates from high school in June and has been accepted at Gonzaga for the nursing program! Much excitement! Blessings to you on your travels!
I enjoyed your commentary about the cormorants. During our TX Gulf travels, I spent a great deal of time photographing and observing birds and would spin similar tale’s. It’s always fun connecting with fellow bloggers in person. Some great friendships have developed via this platform. I too have been following Jenny for quite some time. She takes beautiful photos.
What an amazing way to spend Earth Day.
I knew I would love this post when I read the title! Your cormorant and seal photos are wonderful. And then I saw the waves crashing on the rocks and you just made my day! Thanks for a beautiful post and for introducing me to Bulldog Travels.
Another fabulous post, Curt! I love the seals, especially the seal birthing area, and interesting to learn about the small jelly fish. Funny how the smell doesn’t bother the seals. 🙂 The color of the water in the sea caves is so beautiful, it’s almost unreal. And how wonderful you got to meet Jenny! Great photo of you three and all the photos are gorgeous. Have fun in Pt. Reyes!
Thanks, Lauren. I had the same question about the seals, especially since they seemed to go out of their way to sleep on top of the jelly fish! The water was gorgeous and we really enjoyed Jenny. We are happily settled into the campground at Olema and enjoying all of the beauty here. I’ve been to Pt. Reyes so many times it is almost like coming home!
There is a beach near us where seals arrive annually to give birth. They are so ungainly stranded on the sand but become graceful once back in the water.
Hard to imagine a more ungainly animal on land, Andrew!
What a treat to get to watch the cormorants like that. That whole shoreline looks pretty spectacular.
Alison
It was special, Alison. As for the shoreline, there are reasons why Ansel Adams and other artists were so attracted to it! Grin. –Curt
I’m not a fan of cormorants. In the two lake areas where I frequently take bird photos, the cormorants have taken over the biggest, most beautiful tree and turned the leaves white with bird poop!
Ouch!
I absolutely delighted to see the photo with you and Jenny. We have been following each other for years as well. It’s always one of the best things about blogging: when we get to meet a blogger in person. The rest of this post is also wonderful, and I simply love the cormorant photos. The blue neck and white whiskers are a delight, thank you for sharing your imagined community dramas going on there, ha ha. You made it more fun.
We are in total agreement on Jenny, Crystal! And the delight in meeting people who we have come to know through blogging. You are one, after all! As for the cormorants, I was ‘interpreting.’ Grin.
I was astonished by the colors in these cormorants. They’re quite fancy compared to ours! Of course, the water there’s pretty fancy, too — and the rocks are splendid.
At least part of that color, Linda, was due to the fact that they were looking for mates, i.e. wearing their best clothes. As for the rocks and water, they are both reasons Peggy and I like the Pacific Coast!