gottscho's Favorites

Found by Sophie Cameron. Appeared to be drinking from the creek (photo 3 is as found). I was hopeful that my adventures in this canyon would be rewarded with one of these secretive snakes, but I never thought I would actually see one. I was out of my mind when I saw it and was more excited to find this guy than any other snake I have ever found. Was very bitey, and bit me and Sophie several times. At one point, it latched onto Sophie's shirt and held on, even chewing into the shirt like it was prey. One of my all time favorite wildlife encounters by far!!!

A group of 5 Orca, comprising CA140B (Louise) and her three offspring, as well as another young whale who wasn't identified. While we watched they hunted and killed a couple of sea lions and an elephant seal.

This bird is climbing on an upward arc. At the top of the arc, it will invert and dive, slowly spreading it's wings, describing another arc. Wings fully extended before it gains lift and begins to climb again. Then it tucks in it's wings and waits for weightlessness. It repeated this flight display all morning and it's partner occasionally joined it in the looping display, not together, but crossing it's path.