Our Amazing Elephant Seals

President David welcomed Dr. Art back and told a joke for him that was thumbed down with many requesting Dr. Art, Dr. Art, Dr. Art….jokester will change next week! Sid has his daughter Eve visiting all the way from Singapore!

President David zapped a couple fines....and revealed how we could avoid major fining...don't pay our dues then he doesn't know who/how much to fine....HOWEVER, we will also not be able to operate....What to do? What to do? Pay up guys and gals.

Fish fries coming up at the end of July at Sid's Church...fine!! and for MB Rotary on August 31^st at St. Tim’s with the Fishery ladies...want to go fishing? Bruce Harwood has a bit a room left on his July 31^st trip...

Principal Dan Andrus has seen the light with so much support at MB High School for students, including the largest club on campus (Interact with 50 kids) being started by Rotarians, he hopes to become one of us. Kids today…they want leadership to show them the way to service above self…well, maybe they are still learning the “above self” ethic!

Rotary Moment by Michael Williams: Invited 11 years ago by Frances and Forest Martin, he was instantly hooked because he recognized a social network that helped the community. He quickly realized business, social and fund raising support for activities important to his clients and his community was a direction he wanted to pursue…with Rotary. Case in point his annual barbecue that started as a client thank you with 25 people and now raises funds for MS and Project Surf Camp and a new cause each year with over 200 community players attending…most Rotarians donating and attending. Life is good with Rotary fellowship for Michael Williams…even when he is late to the party.

A former patient of Mike’s, Dale Moody provided the lively discussion and facts about the Elephant Seals’ Rookeries at Piedras Blancas. Dale has been a docent for 4 years once he healed from a shoulder injury sliding down a slippery slope counting Elephant Seals. And he said he wants us to believe he has his doctorate?

Fast Facts on Elephant Seals:

· Central Coast is one of few rookeries with close up and personal visuals of the life cycle of the Elephant Seal;

· Migratory Seals are currently molting and resting after returning from Alaska. They are not eating…so not defecating;

· Males will make two trips a year to Alaska…live 14-15 years and gathers up and supports a harem of 40-50 females;

· Web Cam shows it all…even makes the noise;

· 5,000 pups were born last year…80% will NOT make it…sharks and orcas are their natural enemies so when they go back to Alaska they stay up for 3-4 minutes then dive to 1000 feet and stay out of harm’s way. While at the Rookery the heavy kelp helps the pups survive until ocean touring;

· 1990s Rookery reborn…Elephant Seal nearly disappeared for their oil;

· Females spend 10 months at sea without landfall…2 months they birth and briefly care then with child again and out to sea again. December/January birthing time; and

· There are 17-18 rookeries in California but Piedras Blancas is a treasure we need to treasure.

Hear more from Dale on Sundays at the Piedras Blancas Rookery…He has a million stories and facts…

And if I got any of them wrong…I tend to have dyslectic hearing.