A Coastal Day at Point Lobos

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We recently spent a beautiful April day hiking the Point Lobos Loop Trail in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Trail View

With the ocean nearby and clear skies above, it felt like the perfect setting for a longer coastal adventure together.

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A Longer, Moderate Loop

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The 6.3-mile loop offered a moderate challenge, giving us plenty of time to explore the varied terrain.

Western Flycatcher

From coastal bluffs to sheltered forested sections, the trail kept things interesting from start to finish.

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Ocean Views and Fresh Air

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The sound of waves and the cool ocean breeze followed us along much of the trail.

Trail View

The views of the rugged coastline made it easy to pause often and take in the scenery.

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Birdlife by the Shore

Pigeon Guillemot

Near the water, we spotted a few Pigeon Guillemots moving along the rocky shoreline.

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A couple of Black Oystercatchers also stood out with their bold coloring as they foraged near the surf.

Black Oystercatchers

Geese Across the Landscape

Canada Goose

We saw a lot of Canada Geese throughout the hike, often gathered in open areas.

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Their presence added to the lively feel of the reserve.

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Small Birds in the Forest

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

As the trail moved through more wooded sections, we encountered a variety of smaller birds.

Brown Creeper

A few Chestnut-backed Chickadees and a Brown Creeper worked their way through the trees, while a Wrentit stayed low in the brush.

Wrentit

A Special Nesting Moment

Anna’s Hummingbird

One of the highlights was spotting a nesting Anna’s Hummingbird.

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Watching it carefully tend to its nest was a quiet and memorable moment that added something special to the hike.

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Familiar Favorites Along the Trail

American Robin

We also came across an American Robin, a Western Flycatcher, a Fox Sparrow, a Song Sparrow, and a bunch of House Finches.

Fox Sparrow

Each sighting added to the steady rhythm of birdwatching throughout the day.

House Finch

A Memorable Coastal Loop

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By the time we completed the loop, we felt both relaxed and energized.

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The mix of ocean views, varied terrain, and a wide range of bird sightings made this hike at Point Lobos a wonderful experience and another great day spent outdoors together.

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Lingering Moments by the Coast

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Even after finishing the trail, we found ourselves lingering a bit longer, taking in the ocean views and the calm atmosphere.

Song Sparrow

It was the kind of place that’s hard to leave, and we were already talking about coming back again.

Three-cornered Leek