High Surf Warning at San Elijo

One of the best surfing beaches on the southern coast of California is located in front of our beautiful San Elijo State Beach campgrounds. There are dozens of peaks for surfing enthusiasts to choose from... but beginners need to take care when there is a "high surf advisory". The surf photos are for all my friends that had to work and would have loved to have been out there!





 

A few days ago we had a "high surf warning" for all the local beaches in southern California. Took a few shots of the beautiful waves that came though. The feathering of the wave is caused by a strong offshore wind we call "Santa Ana" winds. This photo shows the beach break in front of the Chart House Restaurant.

 

A surfer catches a nice wave. When the left foot is in front, the stance is called a regular foot. This surfer in the photo is a "regular foot". This point break is at the Cardiff reef which is located in front of the mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon. 

The "green room"

 

An outstanding backside surfer (right leg forward) gets a nice wave. 

One more look towards the Chart House.

Taking a look at the pumphouse about a mile away south on the Solana Beach side of the lagoon. 

The newly named Harbaugh Seaside Trails  is on the right side of the train tracks. It's time to go check out Rios Pole Trail. 

A small shorebird that is hard to photograph without mud on its beak. Finally I spotted one resting on some rocks towards the end of the Pole Trail off Rios. This is a Semipalmated Plover. The name "semipalmated" refers to the partial webbing on their toes as seen in this photo. This info from the Audubon website.

This one appears to be a juvenile. This shot also shows the partial webbing on the toes. 

Soon, his beak is covered in mud as they forage for food. They eat insects, crustaceans, small mollusks, worms, flies and larvae depending on their location and time of year.

Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus measures 7.25 inches with a wingspan of 19 inches.

Once you hear the call of this bird below you will always recognize the high pitched alarm call. It's supposed to sound like "kill Deer", lol, but it never sounds like that to me. 

A close-up. The Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, measures 10.5 inches long with a wingspan of 24 inches. 

 

A flight shot showing the wing markings. 

A full back view. Time for me to head for home. 

Heading home, I spot a Northern Mockingbird. 

An Anna's Hummingbird guards his territory by the trailhead. 

 

Have a good week everyone.