Monterey and the Coast

May 9th: We drove south on Route 1 along the coast through the Big Sur ("Big South") region. This region covers about 100 miles of coast and mountains, with a few individual homes and small communities sprinkled here and there.

Heading to the ocean through a path of wildflowers south of Carmel:




Low clouds over distant hills:


Gorgeous thistles, with deep green foliage veined in white:


We were surprised to see cattle grazing along the ocean and then found signs identifying the land as the El Sur Ranch. The ranch has been in existence in one form or another since the 1830s and consists of 7000 acres, with over 3200 acres protected from development by a conservation easement.






A creek running into the ocean:


A fantastic brick and timber building with wrapped shakes in Carmel:


Photos from our May 10th trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

Black-necked Stilt and a little friend:




Black Oystercatcher:


Killdeer:


A sea otter, twirling 'round and 'round, with his blue toy floating in the background:


Spotted Jelly:


Sea Nettle Jelly:


Three Seahorses:


Leafy Sea Dragons (a type of seahorse):




A nice Victorian in Monterey: