Category Archives: Framed

The Whales are Back

framed whale breach happy IMG_6524-XLStory and Photo by www.PhotoByVivian.com

We are once again graced by the migration of Humpback Whales here on the Central Coast. A species of Baleen Whale, Humpback Whales as a whole are very friendly and curious animals. Some Humpback Whales referred to as “friendlies” will approach kayakers and boats many times staying with or under them.
A Humpback’s lifespan is about 50 years and an adult Humpback weighs on average about 80,000 pounds and can reach up to 60 feet in length. They are known for their long pectoral fins, which can be up to 15 feet and used to maneuver, slow down and even back up! The females are larger than the males. They only eat in the summer and can eat up to 3,000 pounds or more of food per day, primarily krill, plankton and small fish. It is believed the Humpbacks are here in the bay a month earlier than their usual migration due to the large numbers of available anchovies.
Humpbacks have some interesting habits. They breach, lobtail and spyhop. A Humpback will spyhop to take a look around. It is not clear why they breach or lobtail. It could have a social meaning, it could be to loosen parasites or they may simply be playing. Humpbacks sing and are the most vocal and nosiest of all whales.

Native Sons of The Golden West

FramedBy PhotoByVivian.com

Donated by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor 290 of San Luis Obispo, this shaded area for horses is near the entrance of the Lake Lopez Recreational Area. The Native Sons of the Golden West was formed in July 1875 by a group of California born men (women now join the ranks) who wanted to preserve the state’s history. Before state parks or historical societies protecting landmarks were formed, the Native Sons started fundraising to save icons that marked the state’s history. They began placing historical markers and worked with the state encouraging them to do the same.

Framed: Amgen Tour

FramedOnce again the Amgen Tour came through the Central Coast and what an exciting race! The Amgen Tour CA Stage 4 winner was Tinkoff-Saxo’s Peter Sagan. For three days at the Amgen Tour of California, the Slovakian national champion had to settle for silver medals, but he sprinted to victory in Avila Beach! Wouter Wippert (Drapac) was second, and Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quick-Step) finished third.
See more Amgen photos at www.PhotoByVivian.com.

Peeps

FramedPhoto and story by www.PhotoByVivian.com

Although often mistaken for Snowy Plovers, our Central Coast beaches are currently a stopping ground for thousands of Sanderlings, a type of sandpiper affectionately referred to as “Peeps.”  Right now the numbers of Sanderlings is extremely high as it’s mating season and they are making their trek to the High Arctic Tundra to nest. As they migrate north most non-breeders stay in South America for the summer but a few of them will remain behind and spend the summer on our coastline.
Known by their obsessive «wave chasing» or «surf dodging» the Sanderlings run back and forth as waves ebb and flow as they hunt for food.  Running so quickly you can hardly see their legs move; they resemble «wind up toys» which they are also affectionately referred to.  If frightened or threatened, Sanderlings will fly erratically over the ocean in tights groups twisting and turning, like swirling dark clouds.
Sanderlings are one of the most widespread shorebirds birds on the planet and although they are one of the most common shorebirds, their populations are declining.  Their extremely long migratory route makes them vulnerable due to their reliance on many stopping grounds along the way. Living close to the shoreline they are also susceptible to pollution, oil spills and loss of habitat.

The Snowy Egret

FramedPhoto and story by www.PhotoByVivian.com

The Snowy Egret population, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, has been rebounding on the Central Coast. Almost hunted to extinction because of the demand of their showy plumes, which were once more valuable than the price of gold, they have made a comeback, however they are still threatened by loss of habitat. Luckily, today you’ll see groups on our shoreline feeding on small fish and crabs, roosting in trees in our local orchards and even along the side of our freeways feeding on insects. They have beautiful bright yellow feet and yellow marking in front of their eyes. During mating season the yellow in front of their eyes turns red, their feet orange and their feathers look “shaggy.”
The Snowy Egret pictured above was soaring over Avila Beach.
See more photos at www.PhotoByVivian.com.

Framed: California Cows

Framed cow

Photo and story by www.PhotoByVivian.com

Are California Cows really happy?  Up until recent years yes, but, unfortunately, that is changing because of the drought that is forcing ranchers to move or sell-off cattle as green pastures turn brown and creeks and wells run dry.
San Luis Obispo County once home to mild winters and plenty of green fields for cattle to graze has been in a severe drought since 2013.
“Any amount of rain is considered a blessing for this ranch,” said local rancher Connie Grieb Willems. “2013 was one of the driest years in our local history. The drought on the Central Coast has made a big impact on our life and family.  With no affordable food for the cattle and no grass on the hills we sold and shipped off cattle and only kept a few cattle back to gamble that there would be rain this year.”
Willems said the article “Drought and Grazing” by Royce Lasen, UC Cooperative Extension, states, “in 1862 there was a severe drought that lasted three years and wreaked havoc on the state and the cattle industry.  Half the cattle in California died and many cattlemen were forced out of business forever changing the way the ranching industry worked in California.  Since 1869 there has been a drought year approximately every 17 years.”
Recent rains have turned the hills green, but the county and state are still in desperate need of more rain to increase ground water supplies. There are predictions for rain in the coming months, but will it be enough to save the cattle in San Luis Obispo County?

Orchids

FramedBy www.PhotoByVivian.com

Perhaps the largest, most diverse and most showy of all flowering plants is the orchid.  There are over 25,000 different types of accepted species of orchids and horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids such as the Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis. The Smithsonian Gardens in Maryland boast an orchid collection of more than 8,000 specimens. The orchid has evolved over the past 80 million years and adapted to almost every part of the planet from rain forests, to deserts, to forests, to mountains, to the most remote islands. Charles Darwin was fascinated by orchids and their sex lives. Continue reading Orchids

Framed: March 19–April 1, 2015

FramedIrish Hills
By PhotoByVivian.com

The Irish Hills in San Luis Obispo were named by Irish immigrants because they reminded them of home. Today the Irish Hills and the Johnson Ranch Open Space are frequented by hikers and mountain bikers. Once a location for mining manganese, mercury and chromium, mineshafts and process ponds can still be seen from the trails. An old house at the Madonna trailhead was once a school that sat in the Irish Hills School District until 1943 when it merged with the Laguna District. Today trails connect the Johnson Ranch Open Space and the Irish Hills Natural Reserve. There is a three-mile loop that takes folks to an elevation of about 500 feet starting at the Johnson Ranch trailhead, or can be entered from the Madonna trailhead in the Irish Hills, use the Connector Trail and make a 10-mile or longer hike or ride and climb to about 675 feet. Along the way you’ll find groves of Oak trees, the hills and fields, currently bright green, are speckled with wildflowers and cows graze on the slopes. There are fantastic views overlooking San Luis Obispo from many spots along the way.

Framed: March 5–18, 2015

CCL framed octagon barn VIV_3609 a-X3Photo and story by PhotoByVivian.com

Built by Henri LaFranchi a Swiss immigrant along with John Damaso an Azorean immigrant and a third unnamed man in 1906 sits a historic gem of the central coast, the Pereira Octagon Barn.
It was built on a Mexican land grant known as the Ranchita de Santa Fe. Now on South Higuera Street it was once the path of the Camino Real and the original route of CA Hwy. 1. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of only two Octagon Barns in California. Continue reading Framed: March 5–18, 2015

Framed

framed long street bonetti DSC_0811-X3Story and Photo By www.PhotoByVivian.com

On Feb. 12 groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the historic Long-Street Farm – (F. Bonetti) property that sits at the corner of Tank Farm Road and S. Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. Before Tank Farm Road existed, the streets surrounding the land were Pismo Road, Ocean Blvd., Avila Road, Hwy. 101 and now, South Higuera Street. The buildings on the property which are on the city’s list of historic places including a farm house, barn, granary and water tower, will be incorporated into a Marketplace that will have a Continue reading Framed