2020 08-24 Morro Bay
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After a lengthy (leisurely) brunch at Fat Cats in Avila Beach, we continued north and ended up at our target destination: Morro Bay. We wanted to get out on a boat into the harbor and surrounding waterways to photograph wildlife, especially sea otters. We booked with Sub Sea tours this time.
Although a dense fog bank was quite close to the beach, it never entered the harbor and we had a sunny 30-min tour. Suellen got things started when we were still tied up at the dock by spotting a large osprey perched on a pole at the dock. The happy-to-oblige captain took us in to shoot close-ups when we got underway. Later in the trip the Captain spotted another individual about ½ mile away.
Two or three otters floated by in the strong tidal current and one drifted close to the boat. Later we’d actually travel over near Morro Rock where 25 – 30 individuals call it home. We did not get very near to this group and, even with my nice lens, the mammals were still too far for the kind of photography I did last time we visited and toured with another operation, Captain Stew’s.
The Captain also let the boat drift close to a semi-submerged dock in the middle of the harbor that the City long ago gave free rent to California sea lions occupying it. Good head shots and close ups were had.
The Captain spent (too much) time dumping canned mackerel over the side to draw a school of jacksmelt to the surface. He let a 3 year old boy do it too, and the kid was helped to bend over and put his hands in the school, over the side of the boat. Apparently this boat had an underwater window and a few other kids watched the fish there.
Meanwhile the mackerel and general activity caught the attention of a bold adult western gull. I took gull head shots and portraits…cool!
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Read MoreAfter a lengthy (leisurely) brunch at Fat Cats in Avila Beach, we continued north and ended up at our target destination: Morro Bay. We wanted to get out on a boat into the harbor and surrounding waterways to photograph wildlife, especially sea otters. We booked with Sub Sea tours this time.
Although a dense fog bank was quite close to the beach, it never entered the harbor and we had a sunny 30-min tour. Suellen got things started when we were still tied up at the dock by spotting a large osprey perched on a pole at the dock. The happy-to-oblige captain took us in to shoot close-ups when we got underway. Later in the trip the Captain spotted another individual about ½ mile away.
Two or three otters floated by in the strong tidal current and one drifted close to the boat. Later we’d actually travel over near Morro Rock where 25 – 30 individuals call it home. We did not get very near to this group and, even with my nice lens, the mammals were still too far for the kind of photography I did last time we visited and toured with another operation, Captain Stew’s.
The Captain also let the boat drift close to a semi-submerged dock in the middle of the harbor that the City long ago gave free rent to California sea lions occupying it. Good head shots and close ups were had.
The Captain spent (too much) time dumping canned mackerel over the side to draw a school of jacksmelt to the surface. He let a 3 year old boy do it too, and the kid was helped to bend over and put his hands in the school, over the side of the boat. Apparently this boat had an underwater window and a few other kids watched the fish there.
Meanwhile the mackerel and general activity caught the attention of a bold adult western gull. I took gull head shots and portraits…cool!
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