This year's Members Kayak Tours of the north slough filled early - next year we will probably add more days. The first tour set out Saturday afternoon, September 24, from Kirby park, just as we did last year.
  

Knock on wood, we've been lucky with the weather on these tours.
  

The destination, as always, is the northernmost point of the navigable slough, Hudson's Landing. Today the pilings are crowded with Forster's Terns and Ring-billed gulls.
  

There are just enough perches if some are willing to share.
  

The terns are pretty nonchalant about kayakers today.

On the paddle back, we see this row of juvenile Brown Pelicans nicely posed. One of the paddlers suggests that they are sitting on what was once a "shark fence," put there by the oyster farmers of years ago to keep out shellfish-eating rays.
  

One last wave to the camera, and we head home. Thanks again to the great people at Kayak Connection for helping us with equipment and guides!
  

The following Saturday we were again blessed with great weather – not too hot, not too cold.
  

This day would mostly be about the pelicans, who were hunting in the main channel all afternoon.
  

When we rafted up at Hudson's landing, this time it was Brown Pelicans that were loafing on the pilings, and more were arriving all the time.
  

As Reserve Education Coordinator Kenton Parker filled us in on the history and biology of the area, the pelicans preened. Notice the reefs at the base of the pilings – we'll take a closer look later.

Here's a nice little group.

As you can see in the previous photos, most of the pelicans here were dark-headed juveniles. but there were a few white-headed adults on hand as well.

Here's a closer look at a reef of non-native, invasive Australian tube worms. Researchers are measuring their spread in local waters.

Time to head back.

The pelicans kept busy in the main channel, cruising low and diving for fish at a low angle in shallow waters.

Time to hop on out of here.

Thanks to the great folks at Monterey Bay Kayaks for providing boats and guides for another fine day on the water.

These kayak tours are just one of the benefits of membership in the Elkhorn Slough Foundation – click here to learn more.