Huntington Beach, Part 2 - Saturday - May 21, 2011

Nancy here:  Normally, I have the early shift at work on Saturday and the late shift on Sunday.  This week it was all different…late Saturday and off on Sunday!!  So I asked Bill if we could do an early morning walk at Huntington Beach on Saturday.  What follows is what we saw on a beautiful EARLY morning!!

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Our route is marked in Red

Moon was still out when we arrived.

But then the sun rose as we crossed the causeway.

As we crossed the causeway, I shouted to Bill to "STOP!!"

This alligator was hiding amongst the rocks right next to the sidewalk we were walking on.

I snapped this quick photo (no zoom needed we were this close) and

we quickly moved to the road to pass by. :o))

A little further along, we saw this pair of Ahingas

sitting on the Rice Trunk.

Close up of one of two Rice Trunks that manage the wetlands here.

This Great Blue Heron is ready to strike right next to the Rice Trunk.

The Rice Trunk not only transports water, but also fish and shrimp, back and forth.

The birds and alligators seem to congregate around the Rice Trunks.

This Snowy Egret appears pink in the early morning sunrise!

He used the Rice Trunk to clean his beak.

Then off he flew to position himself to catch breakfast!!

This alligator has his camouflage grass outfit on today.

From the causeway, we headed over to Atalaya Dr,

which connects Brookgreen Gardens to the Beach.

Below is the entrance to Brookgreen Gardens
directly across Hwy 17 from Huntington Beach SP

A closer look at the entrance!!

This is the path the leads from Brookgreen to
Atalaya (former summer home) on the beach.

Green Swamp along the Atalaya path.

We walked the path toward Atalaya, but since it was so early,

 Atalaya was not open.

Bill and I walked over to the Registration office and went up on

the balcony to take a few photos.

View across the parking lot toward the ocean.

View of Atalaya - need to return and visit up close.

View of bath house for daily visitors.

Behind the Registration Building is the Kerigan Nature Trail.

We walked the trail which took us to a boardwalk over the wetlands.

Momma Cardinal was not happy we were there!!

Pair of Common Moorhens

View across the Wetlands

Great Egret in the tree...it looks strange up there!

Next we headed over to the Salt Marsh Boardwalk.

There is a nature center at the boardwalk, but again...too early!

However, there were some good posters to read!!
(reminder - click any photo to enlarge)

Here is a closeup of the Spartina or Salt Marsh Cordgrass which

is in the process of decomposing so the "locals" can consume it.

This Fiddler Crab wants his share as well.

Fifth Wheel leaving the State Park across the causeway.

View of Causeway and Wetlands Viewing Boardwalks

Interesting Oyster information

We were there at low tide, so the oyster beds were visible.

Fiddler Crabs were everywhere!!

Jelly Fish got stuck in the Oyster Beds.

Wilson's Plovers scavenging for a meal.

A closer look!!

The Salt Marsh

It was a beautiful morning and a fantastic walk.  While we are stuck here until we sell our house and start full-timing, we sure have many beautiful places to explore in our own backyard!!

Check back to catch our walk on Sunday at Sunset.