For the second day in a row, east winds and high temps crushed the sea watching from Point Pinos. Knowing today would be a quiet day on the oceanfront, I took the morning to ride up to Jack's Peak Park. Situated about 5 miles east and 1,000 vertical feet above Monterey, this perch provided a fantastic view of the entire Monterey Bay on this incredibly clear day. I did a bit of birding while I was there, but, save for my second and third Hermit warblers of the year, there wasn't anything of any real note. Man, Purple finch is becoming a headache! They seem to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. They apparently just fly around without staying loyal to any particular area as far as I am concerned. I hear Andrew Molera State Park through which I will pass on Sunday en route to Big Sur is a good spot, so maybe I can put this simmering nightmare to bed at that time. My afternoon was spent at Point Pinos straining to see birds that weren't there. The 5 hours I spent there produced < 30 shearwaters, 10-12 Parasitic jaegers, a few Rhinoceros auklets, and a 1-hour nap. Despite less-than-outstanding wind prospects for tomorrow, I will certainly return to Point Pinos in the afternoon to close out my stay here in Monterey and Pacific Grove. I am not sure how I am going to utilize the morning yet, but I might have to get creative since things are so quiet around here right now.
The view of Monterey from up at Jack's Peak
The last 4-5 days have been very frustrating as I am fighting off the remnants of a stubborn cold that has me feeling very low energy at the moment. I have made references to midday naps the last two days; These have only been possible since I am so sapped from the cold. I guess it is a good thing that I am relatively stationary at the moment. Perhaps more worrying is that I feel at a motivational low right now. I am hoping that this will change when I start to feel physically better in the next few days. The ride down to Big Sur coast is going to be very challenging, so I want to have this illness licked before Sunday!
Also, I created a Flickr page for the best photos I have taken this year. Check it out!
22 miles today
The Flickr page is really great. It's nice to be able to see all those photos in one spot. It's really hot in Big Sur today, but a good cool-down is expected by Sunday and even more on Monday. Hope you are feeling better and the cooler temps make a difference for the trip south.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos on Flickr! What cute sweet birds and other critters! You take wonderful pictures. I sure hope that cold goes away fast.
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