Boat Shows In California Article

If you want to see otters--or even help count them--now's the time

"Look!" I'll holler as I spy what's certainly a bobbing head offshore.

"Mom," my 6-year-old daughter inevitably retorts, "it's kelp."

Nonetheless, I've joined a guided boat tour of Moss Landing's Elkhorn Slough, just north of Monterey Even with my dismal track record, my chances of spying otters are good, particularly this year.

For one thing, California otter numbers are up. The recent spring survey of sea otter territory from Half Moon Bay south to Santa Barbara shows an increase for the first time in five years--up about 10 percent this year, for a grand total of more than 2,300 otters. Though scientists stress this may be a blip and not a trend, it's still good news for this threatened species, nearly obliterated about a century ago by demand for its dense, soft fur.

What's more, I'm in the right place. Elkhorn Slough, a branching network of channels, is home to literally tons of clams and other invertebrates that otters love to munch.

Set to go, Captain Yohn Gideon maneuvers the softly thrumming pontoon boat out of the harbor. Within two minutes, a furry head pokes above the surface. I'm sure it's kelp.

"Look," Gideon says. "Our first otter."

In the next two hours we see them--alone and in groups, back-floating otters pounding clamshells on their chests, even a mother cradling her pup. Our two-hour tally: 46 otters. And I'm happy to report that, after that first blunder, I mistook none of them for kelp.

Elkhorn Slough Safari conducts two-hour boat tours daily year-round. Reserve at least one week in advance. $26, $19 ages 3-14; (831) 633-5555 or . com.

On October 14, Friends of the Sea Otter holds its annual meeting, open to the public, at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Throughout the day volunteers will help spot otters from the promenade of the Monterey Plaza Hotel, just south of the aquarium. FSO also publishes a free guide to 13 prime otter-spotting locations. Call (800) 279-3088 or visit . org.