CALIFORNIA

Gulls Flying Over Inspiration Point @ Anacapa Island

Though the beauty of Anacapa Island is far beyond compare, but it may not actually be for everyone to see. Especially for those who could not stand some roughness in their lives even just for a short time. I saw a lot of kids enjoying the place, as their curiosity are far stronger than the fine things they may have been enjoying in the mainland. You hear them asking always a lot of questions. But I saw also a few adults who just kept on complaining how there is no water, no food and no shade on the island. If you go to Anacapa, you have to bring your own water and food. It also has no sand for beachgoers,

Rocky Cliffs of Anacapa 

but it has a lot of wildlife under its water, a delight for divers. Whales, orcas, and dolphins pass offshore. Tidepools are great. It is wild, and maybe, for us, we like it that way. 

Simply Nature @ Anacapa

The island has no trees for shade at all, for those who want to take relief from the sun, must go to the visitor center where they can watch the history of Anacapa and also watch the live video they provide for the fascinating life under the sea. Park rangers dive into the waters of the Anacapa with a video camera for those who want to see life under the sea without getting wet. However, for those who want to adventure around the small island would have to suffice with the shade from their hats as the island has no trees nor even man made shade. What carpets the island are wildflowers, and yes, nesting sea gulls (April- June).

A Haven for Seabirds and Flowers

Sea birds are probably the most conspicuous life at Anacapa. In the beaches of California, one would always see the the playing matured gulls, but I haven’t had gotten a chance to see what their babies look like at the beaches. The sea gulls nest farther away from the beaches. Being so protective of their young, they go to secluded places such as uninhabited islands, moored boats, and spits.

Mom Gull with her Fluffy Chicks

In my wanderings in California, I saw only two places so far where they nest and hatch. One, at several hundred miles away from the beach at Mono Lake, and the other place I saw is here at Anacapa island. The moment I stepped on the island, I hear the sound of the gulls. Babies probably looking for their mom while their mom look for some foods.

Baby Sea Gull

Fluffy Chick looking for food?

Baby Looking For Mom?

Gull Calling out Her Chick?

The sea gulls on the island seem to have that penetrating stare, maybe, one way of communicating to us to get off their way, especially their babies.

Mom Carefully Watching her Chicks

And the picture below somehow tells me that my guess may be right that they are carefully watching their chicks from humans, “off limits”, if they can only utter that word to the visitors of the island.

Guard of the Island?

Actually, even though Anacapa is only a small island, but the middle and west portion of the island are not open to visitation and hiking, those parts of the island are really set aside for wildlife.

Middle and West Portion of Anacapa from Inspiration Point

Only the East portion of Anacapa Island is open to visitors, but also on a very limited number. One must make a reservation with the Channel Islands National park Boat Concessionaire, mainly Island Packers, to go the island.