A frothing cauldron of wind and waves…

Observation date: 8 December 2015

With high winds and monstrous waves the harbor mouth is a frothing cauldron with waves 16 to 22 feet in height and gusts to 45 miles per hour.  Access to the south side of Morro Rock has been closed for almost a week. Open to foot traffic only, there is an endless line of surfers and wave watchers walking out to see the spectacle.

High swells of the first El Niño storm

High swells of the first El Niño storm                  Photo by Heather O’Connor

At low tide the surfers use the two breaks on the either side of the harbor mouth.

The north jetty called “Widow Walls.”

North jetty breakers

North jetty breakers                                 Photo by Heather O’Connor

The south jetty called “Corners.”

"Corners" on the south jetty Photo by Heather O'Connor

“Corners” on the south jetty                                       Photo by Heather O’Connor

Without the windbreak of my truck and shell, observing the falcons is next to impossible. With sustained winds of 20 miles an hour and gusts much higher, setting up optics is out of the question. However, from inside my truck, I have been able to see both pairs of falcons, north and south, coming and going. In their normal routine, but no breeding as of yet in either pair. They do, however, visit previous nest sites and continue to bond.

Happy trails, Bob

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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