Pismo Beach

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Avila Valley Barn                        one block from our campground

                                                  From Oregon The Christmas Tree State

Pismo Beach is a ten minute drive from our campground along Highway #101 South.

The name Pismo comes from the Chumash language word for tar, Pismu', which was gathered from tar springs in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach. The Chumash people used tar to caulk their seagoing canoes, called tomol, in which they traveled along the coast and out to the Channel Islands.
http://www.pismobeach.org/319/Department-History

                                                                California Garden

                                                        New camp couch (I'm kidding!)

                                                               Downtown Pismo Beach

                               



                            Cool Cat Cafe
(red sign can be seen on the left side of above photo)

The Visitor's Center in San Luis Obispo recommended we try the clam chowder at Splash Cafe.         It was delicious! And the restaurant is well worth a visit as well!

                       Storefront window of  Hotlix Candy Store (It was closed, today. Darn! ;-)

                                                               Pismo Beach Pier

                                                            View from the pier

                            Pelicans on each side of the pier (almost across from each other)

These are more photos of the pelican from the opposite side of the pier. He eventually flew off but his companion was still on the railing when we returned to the beach. 

Jonathan caught on camera his yawn in mid-formation. His mouth formed a 180 degree angle (a straight line) when it was fully opened.

From the pier, I watched several groups of synchronized seabirds diving in the water.  One small group dove just as the wave crested over them, only their tail feathers were exposed at the surface's edge.  Then, when the wave passed them, they would emerge at the same time, shaking their heads. As that group came up, another small group was just entering its' dive at another point in the wave. This pattern repeated itself several times-- so much fun to watch!

   

There were several egrets (heron) fishing on the beach. They have a white body, a slender black beak and yellow feet.  I saw one with green feet-- an immature egret, according to Cornell Lab. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/snowy_egret/id

 

                     

We also saw turkey vultures. And I saw a grey heron by the water's edge. No photos captured of those birds ;-http://www.tonyhyman.info/Local_events/Pismo_Beach_Birds.html