Today is just a lazy day. First stop is La Jolla Cover to enjoy the ocean and find some seals.
Once again, find parking right near the Cove and can immediately hear the barking of the sea lions as we near the ocean.
We reach the ocean and see a couple of the sea lions.
There are also folks in the cove in dry suits snorkeling and lots of bird (looks like cormorants and pelicans) on the cliffs a little farther north. (We'll investigate them later but first we're heading south towards the Children's Cove.)
As we walk south, there are more sea lions some on the rocks
Others surfing the waves to the beach.
Before we reach the Children's Cove,
we pass a bunch of Pelicans on the ridges just off the trail. (There's a few cormorants with them.)
As we reach the Children's Cove, there's Harbor Seals and babies!! Even a squirrel couldn't help watching.
The Cove is closed to protect those pups.
So fun to watch the pups take off swimming like a rocket and Mom track them down.
The Cove may be closed but the sea wall is open and I head down to get a bit closer (just praying I don't get soaked by a wave)
Well, I didn't get wet -- yea!
We don't go further south, instead we head north passed the sea lions and over to the cliffs to the Cormorants (I'm not sure the species but they have blue necks.). Hey, they're nesting. I see birds with 1, 2 and 3 eggs.
And only one nest with chicks - 3 of them!
The sea gulls were trying to get at the eggs but the Cormorants were fighting back (and winning).
We also see people kayaking and a group of swimmers (that's a long swim!)
And more Pelicans
Oh, I can't forget the hummingbird - bright red breast. Not sure what he was doing but he was flying in an upright U shape; back-n-forth several times before zipping off. Pretty cool!
We probably go about a 1/4 mile past the nesting Cormorants before enjoying the views on a bench among tons of nasturium (yellow flowers)
It's finally time to head out. Passing the nesting Cormorants and an Egret,
and the sea lions one last time before heading out.
This might sound crazy but for lunch, we went to an old childhood favorite - Shakey's Pizza. They don't exist in many states anymore so had to seize the opportunity - brought back great memories!
One last stop at Balboa Park
Awesome orchids at the Botanical garden.
where we just wandered around until it started raining again.
Good day - awesome trip!! Sad to see it end. :(
