After hurdles, a perfect union…

Comment date: 25 September 2014

Over the past year, several people have urged us to join the California State Parks, and what they are called locally, the Central Coast State Parks Association, CCSPA. More people with various perspectives urged and spoke with us. The Morro Bay Museum Manager, docents from the CA State Parks along with docents from the Friends of the Elephant Seal, freelance wildlife photographers and just plain friends. There were a few who were not enamored with the idea, so there were some obstacles and hurdles to overcome.

Early on, we could not come to an agreement of distribution of our funds. You see, we did all the work creating and filing for our nonprofit organization, Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch. It took time.  A very kind and astute attorney, who already had a relationship with the State Parks joined in.  A generous CPA committed time and educated us about the steps. One of our Board of Director members, who was a long time docent at Montaña de Oro was encouraging and inspirational.

Central Coast State Parks Association

Central Coast State Parks Association

By July 2014, we still had requested and required a level of individuality for our PCPW. We wanted the earnings that come from donations and sales to go to CalPoly Scholarships for Ornithology and Wildlife Biology students and not for State Park trails, bathrooms and displays.

After several months, a new approach was found. We would have a separate bank account for the PCPW Scholarships. We have offered our skills and experience along with the nonprofit organization to make this work. Negotiations between the Parks  and PCPW went well and eventually, both of us found value in the connection we had made.

Bob Isenberg, Morro Rock, Morro Bay, CA

Bob Isenberg ready for visitors Photo by Heather O’Connor

Bob Isenberg is a self-taught naturalist, an avian behaviorist and keen observer. Born in Pasadena, California, as a teenager he was fascinated with birds and especially wanted to see a peregrine falcon. After a tour in the Navy and time spent in Northern California, in 1969 at 28 years old,  he arrived in San Luis Obispo. With experience as a Heavy Equipment Operator, he took a job with the City of San Luis Obispo. Being out of doors constantly, he was always aware of the birds that peaked his curiosity. That first year working for the City of San Luis Obispo, he saw his first peregrine falcon on the cliffs at Shell Beach. He’s been hooked ever since! Additional study, observations and friendships with peregrine experts gave him his background expertise. Bob is the Guide that you’ll find at Morro Rock, a teacher, a slide show presenter and an enthusiastic writer that you all know from our PCPW Website.

Heather O’Connor, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,  is a traveler, has BFA in Illustration, a BS in Animal Biology and has been on several Earthwatch Expeditions in Peru, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Australia, Costa Rica,  US Virgin Islands, Madagascar, South Carolina and Colorado, assisting with data collections of katydids, peccaries, squirrel fish, rodents, platypuses, dinoflagellates, lemurs, diamondback terrapins, wildflowers and pitta-like ground rollers. All this mixed in with family life, curiosity, science, art and travel have taken her many places. She is the person who assisted Bob in creating the nonprofit PCPW. She’s an Elephant Seal Docent and person who posts Bob’s stories and photos, mostly from Cleve Nash,  and dreams up with Bob what to do next to make the Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch the best it can be.  Someone said they found each other “under a rock.” One of them is still at that “rock” every day!

To pass this passion, enthusiasm and education along to others is the reason that we are here. Enjoy.

Happy trails, Bob and Heather

Bob Isenberg, Morro Rock, Morro Bay, CA

Bob with his new CA State Park logo.                     Come visit us !                     Photo by Heather O’Connor

About Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch

The Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch is here to inform birders, students and all people who are eager to know about these handsome peregrines. We want you to enjoy and be able to use our on-site powerful spotting scopes. We are available to answer your questions about the pair of falcons that have been observed for many years.
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11 Responses to After hurdles, a perfect union…

  1. Dale mcvay says:

    Fabulous !
    kudos to you both!!

    Dale McVay

  2. Teddy Llovet says:

    Bravo, Heather and Bob! Good work and write up of your cooperative efforts with California State Parks. Your backgrounds are interesting and I’ve learned from both of you. See you at the Rock!

    • Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch says:

      Thank you for your kind comments. I’m off to Steamboat Springs, CO, but Bob will be there as usual.
      Heather and Bob

  3. Linda Wedel says:

    Nice looking vest and patch. I love to see and read your Bird talk. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Pam Hutchins says:

    Beautifully written Heather

  5. janine fallon says:

    CONGRATULATIONS BOB AND HEATHER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Nice to know you are “official” You have both been “officially awesome” to me for a long time. I believe the service and education you provide will contribute to more awareness and kindness to all creatures on the planet–especially with young ‘uns. Love, Janine

    • Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch says:

      Thanks, Janine. We are so pleased to be part of the Central Coast State Parks Association. We just had a group of college students for an evening slide show and an afternoon of information about the Morro Rock Peregrines, Piedras Blancas Elephant Seals and Morro Rock Geology. ~Heather

  6. Jon Bianchi says:

    Hello Bob,
    Always feels like coming home when we visit with you ,Heather and Gorden.
    Laurel is back in Montana and already hitting the books.
    While in Bozeman I came across the Montana Raptor Conservation Center and met some very nice people doing rehabilitation work. they take in injured birds and try to get them out flying again.
    I met a lady there her name is Susan Fisch, her husband had passed. She was wondering if I or maybe someone I new had heard of her husbands name, Jack Fisch. He had been a master Falconer and spent some time at the rock durning the time of recovery.
    I thought of you because of your history with the area.
    Laurel and I always enjoy our visits ,thanks for the hospitality and will see ya again.
    Thanks Jon

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