The Inspiration behind this Piece:

This pair of Whimbrels crossed my path one winter day at Moss Landing, California.  Situated on Monterey Bay, Moss Landing is home to Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.  This 7-mile long tidal slough forms one of California’s largest estuaries, and the slough hosts among many things, over 340 different bird species.  It is an important stopover point for migratory shorebirds traveling from wintering grounds in Central and South America to arctic nesting grounds in Alaska and northern Canada, plus sharks and rays, and supporting California’s largest population of sea otters. 

And so it was, that I happily enjoyed the wonder of sharing a cool December day with these delicate Whimbrels as they foraged along among the seaweed and kelp- strewn rocks hunting for tiny crabs, fish, and other small invertebrates (such as marine worms and mollusks), as well as other tidbits brought in by the tide.  This is my recording of that day.

(*Note- Monterey Bay is a very unique underwater geological feature.  Ranking among the largest canyons of the world, the Monterey Canyon is a mile-deep canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon in scope.  This deep chasm brings a great upwelling of nutrient-laden rich cold water, directing it so close to land that it brings with it more than 30 species of marine mammals into the bay, including our beloved Humpback and California Gray Whales!  Its great kelp forests are home to untold numbers of ocean creatures.)