Elfin Forest, Los Osos

Today's walk was at Elfin Forest.  The whole town of Los Osos was getting new water mains installed, so we encountered several road blocks on our way to Elfin Forest.  This special forest area was created as a memorial after a local couple, including their young daughter, Siena, died in a plane crash.

The initial access is via a sandy path.

Then a boardwalk loop covers the rest of the area.

The boardwalk contains plenty of places to rest, contemplate, and to watch for birds.

Morro Rock and the Morro Bay estuary.

My favorite flower of the Elfin Forest was the dramatic fuchsia-flowering gooseberry.

Poison Oak

Morro Manzanita.  This threatened plant is found only from Morro Bay to Montana de Oro State Park.

Coast Live Oak Grove.  Limited by the coastal dune environment, here these trees only grow to about 12 feet high.  Lace Lichen dangles from the branches.  These "plants" are actually fungi and algae living together in symbiosis.  The Lace Lichen is helpful to the oaks, collecting moisture and nutrients from the foggy air.

Coast Silver Lupine.  This is a critical food plant for the Moro Blue Butterfly.

A couple of pictures of the hills and rocks to the north.

Another view of the estuary.

The mud flats of the estuary with Morro Rock in the background.

Finally!  A bird sits still long enough that I can take its picture.

After visiting Elfin Forest and waiting in another traffic stop, we made our way back to San Luis Obispo and ate our picnic lunch at Laguna Lake.  Then we had to hurry back to the motorhome so that Dave could do some consulting work for a client.  Yes, he's officially retired, but he still occasionally does some online computer work for a few former clients.