Natural History Wanderings

Point Lobos State Reserve Report on Wildflowers, Whales, Birds, Dolphins, and Seals

submitted by
Chuck Bancroft, State Park Ranger
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

“Douglas iris, Star lily, Wild lilac, (Ceanothus thrysiflora), Sticky monkey flower  blooming right now.

All through March and especially through April and May a great variety will be coming.  They are staggered…so anytime in mid April through May will be ideal.  During June and July we see a different variety.  But April May is the best time.

50th ANNUAL WILDFLOWER SHOW APRIL 15, 16 & 17 (10am-5pm each day)
Don’t miss the golden anniversary of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History’s Annual Wildflower Show. The show’s wide representation of wildflower species and varieties make it the largest wildflower show in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. Immerse yourself in a sea of more than 600 species and varieties of Central Coast wildflowers; and learn about the diverse native plant habitats of Monterey County during this long weekend of botanical fun.  (from their website)

Beginning around the 5th to the 10th of April, Harbor seals will be having their pups.

And the Great blue heron, Brandt’s and Pelagic cormorants, and of course Western gull and Canada goose are nesting.

Grey whales will continue to migrate going north.  We have seen lots of Risso’s dolphins and some Orca along the coast.  Whale watching excursion out of Monterey would be incredible.  Last year during the summer months we saw lots of Blue and Humpback whales.”