Elephant Seals and Brown Pelicans

 As the G-man and I drove along Hwy. 1

up the Pacific Coast in California

we would stop to look at the beautiful scenery

and the wildlife along the route.

 There is one area where the Elephant Seals stay.
(Thanks Lori for the correction: Elephant Seals ~ not Sea Lions!)

They look dead... all lined up along the water's edge

and on the beach.

 This one guy waked up, roared, and lumbered 

up the beach to flop in another spot.

This creature was very shiny and black.

Some of the others were in the process of molting

and were half shiny & slick and half rough & brown.

 As we stood on the beach

brown pelicans flew along just

above the water.

 They flew several miles down the coast

and I took a photo of them about

5 miles from the original sighting.

Pelicans and roseate spoonbills are 

my favorite sea birds.

Both are so graceful in flight and a pleasure to watch.

The G-man and I are home now. It was a long trip and not particularly difficult. We would probably have stayed a bit longer, but Gertie was in the kennel and beginning to feel anxious. We got home in time to pick her up on Saturday afternoon and she was so happy to see us.

On Sunday the poor pup was not feeling well. I was very concerned about her. She's getting up in years and anytime she is sick I get almost panicky. After the 4th of July holiday I took her to her doctor who could not find exactly what was hurting her. Pills for pain & inflammation were prescribed and she is now right as rain (whatever that phrase means). I finally discovered a cut or puncture on her shoulder blade that was causing the pain. I don't know why we could not see or feel it, but only knew that something was wrong in that area of her body.

This little dog has been with me since 1999 and has kept me company through a separation and divorce, the death of my mother, the dating & marriage to the G-man, and my transition from working woman to a retired one (she likes the retired part best). She just hangs with me and is a bright star in my life. Gertie & the G-man are big buddies; she really likes him.

So now that Gertie is just about back to normal, all is right with the world. The G-man is golfing with his buddies, I'm piddling around home & visiting with friends, and playing with my dog. No golf for me until I have some cool days to play. The Gert & I will work in the yard and go for walks to try to stay in shape. Oh yes, Gertie loves the neighborhood walks!