Nov 09 2008
From Mainland CA to Channel Islands @ Anacapa
Do you love a sea of wildflowers?
Anacapa Blooms & Gulls Everywhere
Right next to the sea? Do you love sea arches?
Sea Arch, Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park
Do you love bird watching?
Sea Gull on a bed of Flowers
Do you love watching birds display their mighty wings?
California Brown Pelicans Over West Anacapa
Do you love hearing the barking of the sea lions?
California Sea Lions
Do you love lighthouse on an island?
Lighthouse and Visitor Center @ Anacapa
Would you want to see them all in one place? If yes, you may want to visit Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands National Park during spring ( April to May), off Santa Barbara Coast.
Inspiration Point @ Anacapa Island
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands. These are the Anacapa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Barbara. I’ve never been to the other islands yet except Anacapa. Most of Channel Islands National Park resources are under water, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources on the islands and their ocean environment.
Anacapa Island
Anacapa Island is 11 miles away from the Oxnard Harbor, and the boat ride is about 1 hour. Oxbard Harbor is approximately 1 hour drive from Los Angeles. Yes, the Channel Islands are close enough to LA or to mainland CA yet they feel worlds apart.
Cliffs @ Anacapa Island
Anacapa island is predominantly volcanic in origin and may had been uplifted by faulting. This island hosts a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
Anacapa Island is a haven for seabirds. Thousands of birds use Anacapa as a nesting area because of the relative lack of predators. The steep cliffs of West Anacapa are home to the largest breeding colony of endangered California brown pelicans. All the islets of Anacapa host the largest breeding colony of western gulls in the world. Western gulls begin their nesting efforts at the end of April. Fluffy chicks hatch in May and June. They fly away from the nest in July. If you want to visit Anacapa Island teeming with bird life, visit the island from April- June. Anacapa Island burst with colors from the wildflowers, mostly coreopsis carpeting the island. Wildflowers usually bloom March and may last until May. If you notice my pictures above, there are not a lot of colors anymore since we went to Anacapa Island early summer. Yes, there are still a lot of flowers, but they are past peak already. This pictures above were taken June. What we saw were mostly wilted coreopsis, but we’re glad to at least have some colors from snowplants. But we could just imagine how much beautiful the island would be if we were able to catch the peak of the wildflower bloom. If you come July or late in the summer, the island would probably be mostly brown and sea gulls may have left the area already. But if you are a diver, a kayaker, a snorkeler, the best time to visit the island may be summer, though the water is still cold in the summer that warrants a wet suit. But warmer enough than spring.
Next to come……more of sea gulls hatching and their fluffy chicks at Anacapa Island.
For more information on Anacapa, please visit the Channel Islands National Park Website: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/anacapa.htm
The sea arches remind of Greek Mythology.
And I think I would love to live in a lighthouse. There is a lighthouse near where I live and it is lived in. The only problem is that the nearest sea is about 2 hours’ drive away!
I want to go there, what a lovely place. I love the Inspiration Point picture, it is georgeous.
The seagull on the bed of flowers is adorable. I love the sea lions hanging out as well. As usual, great photos. Thanks.
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Hi Betchai!
YES to all of your questions, but I love the sear arch and bird watching the most!
I would like to visit Anacapa Island in the future!
I absolutely fell in love with the seagull over bed of flowers pic. I couldn’t get over the beautiful colors.
You did a fantastic job with that gull on a bed of flowers shot. Really awesome!
i love the grass, the red flowers in it, i love the blue sea, fascinated skies and mountains and the freedom of the birds…. hay.. pastilan, we have tons of snows here now.. and everything you can see is white and black color…
its fun to look and lovely, but you miss the colors of the environment that you used to know…
as for your comment: my dear betchai, nothing is delated, as long as you have greeted me with a warm greetings for my bday that’s all acceptable… stay sweet..
Hi Betchai, I love all the photos esp. the last one with the bird flying straight in your direction, looking at you as if posing for the camera. It looked like it was suspended on some invisible strings.
I was reading through the captions from the start and in my mind, I was smiling and saying “yes” to all the questions.
Great photos. Looks like a great trip!
My kid saw this. Lovely place. She wants to go there and see this one.
The best picture that I like is the seagull on the bed of flowers. We love that!
Wow I think America just have modern skyscrapers and polluted manufacturing areas. From what I see it has good national park and maybe more professionally manage than certain tropical Asian countries. Other countries tourism promotion board will think twice to talk about their country interesting sea after they look at this
aooo……..what a cute sea gull. wanna hug him
he looks so sturdy and pretty don’t you think ?
I’ve got to look in the map about that Channel Islands. I thought it’s the one between England and France!
hi betchai, i’m glad you like the simple and quick view of the passed activity nga nahitabo here…
The red carpet of flowers is amazing, very beautiful background for the sea gull.
I have never, ever seen anything like this!!! It is like a beautiful painting or a place you dream up . Amazing!
that was so awesome, all pictures are so beautiful and the bird look so cute
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btw greetings from me, I’m a friend of winona
hi betchai.. just visiting you here, hoping that i can see another sunny and warm entry… kay dre sa akong dapit.. nagpuro nlng jud snow anywhere.. hehehehe… grrrr