Paddling with the Wildlife in an Estuary in Moss Landing, California
There's no better way to see the water than from the water—and a kayak trip will get you up close and personal with the locals in Elkhorn Slough. At first glance the tidal flats and lapping waters may seem pretty quiet, but look closer and you'll discover the diverse population all around you. Sharks and rays glide under the shimmering wavelets; playful sea otters and curious harbor seals dive and roll; and dozens of bird species flock to the reserve—egrets, herons, cormorants, pelicans, hawks, plovers, even the occasional visiting flamingo. If you get really lucky, an investigating otter may approach your kayak to say hello.
"Quiet Zone. Owls Nesting." reads the sign in a dilapidated barn on the Slough. Other signage tells about the Great Horned Owls who make their homes there. Looking up into the rafters of the structure, we try to discern owlet heads peaking up over scraggly nests in wooden boxes. But there's nothing. Just cool silence. It's a welcome bit of shade on a hot Spring day.
Bringer of birdsong and the smell of sweet grasses, Elkhorn Slough is a great place for a soothing stroll. Both a breeding ground for leopard and smoothhound sharks, and host to thousands of migratory birds, Elkhorn would be an important estuary environment even if it wasn’t California’s second largest salt marsh. But it is that, and as a celebrated birding, kayaking and hiking area, it provides endless hours of recreational and educational entertainment for its steady stream of visitors. There's a striking variety of wildlife and flora, the lulling rhythms (and fascinations) of the tidal environments, and after you tour the Slough, there's the fun local community of Moss Landing, with some good lunch spots, antique stores, and charming small harbor.
There's no better way to see the water than from the water—and a kayak trip will get you up close and personal with the locals in Elkhorn Slough. At first glance the tidal flats and lapping waters may seem pretty quiet, but look closer and you'll discover the diverse population all around you. Sharks and rays glide under the shimmering wavelets; playful sea otters and curious harbor seals dive and roll; and dozens of bird species flock to the reserve—egrets, herons, cormorants, pelicans, hawks, plovers, even the occasional visiting flamingo. If you get really lucky, an investigating otter may approach your kayak to say hello.
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