An Interesting Year - Thank You

A YEAR AGO...
A year ago I posted an entry, HERE, at the end of which I told you that this blog, on this platform, finally clicked over 1,000,000 page views.  Until that time I really had not thought too much about those kind of numbers.

TAKING AN OCCASIONAL LOOK
Oh, yes - from time to time I'd look at the analytics provided by Google to see where readers were coming from, what platforms they used to access the blog, how long they stayed around on each visit, etc. -  but only out of curiosity.  My goal is not to rack up hits on the blog so folks will advertise here - we do not do advertising.  This effort is for fun, not profit, and if we provide information and opinions that readers find entertaining and/or helpful, that's a bonus.  My goal has always been to entice more folks to get involved in municipal affairs.  I've accomplished that goal.. and more.

SNEAKING A PEEK
However, having noticed those numbers last year, I began peeking at them every once in awhile.  This morning I thought I'd share with you what another year has brought.

WINDOWS IN TIME
Shown below is a graphic that reflects two windows frozen in time.  The top part is last year's number - the end of January, 2013.  The bottom numbers are through the end of January, 2014.

FIRST 75 MONTHS...
In the first 75 months of publication of this blog on this platform - beginning in November, 2006 - through January, 2013 I published 1748 posts (a little over 23 per month) and hit 1,000,970 page views (13,345 per month).

...LAST TWELVE
In the next twelve months I published 417 entries (34.75 per month) and recorded 554,134 page views (46,178 per month).  We've all been very busy...

WHEW!
Now I know why I've been feeling thrashed!  I have no idea how many hours have been involved in this effort.  My sweet and very patient wife would tell you "too many!"

CAN'T COMPARE TO OTHERS
These numbers mean nothing when trying to compare my blog to others.  I only published them to let you know what's been happening here, not elsewhere.  These numbers are small time when compared to blogs with a broader reach, even when compared to some other Orange County blogs.  Still, the trends are interesting...

I'M GRATEFUL...
Thanks to all of you who stop in from time to time to read what I've written.  I appreciate your comments, including the criticisms.  I'd prefer more opposing viewpoints would take the time to write, but that's not going to happen much since I require registration with me before I'll publish your comments.  Such is life...

HERE WE GO...
Onward and upward.  I have no idea what the next year will bring, but since this is an election year, I suspect we'll be cranking up the gain even more this year.  Fasten your seat belts...

Large Critters and Large Numbers

 (The view from the boardwalk this weekend)

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?
"Where have you been, Potstirrer?", you ask...  Well, you will recall from a previous entry, HERE, that it's prime time for viewing the Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony near Hearst Castle up on the central coast.  I know some of you have made the trip to visit that beautiful part of our state and have seen those magnificent animals in person.  Others of you may have visited the web site that includes a web cam that shows live images during the day and a tape at night, HERE.

(Serious fighting over mating rights. One second later the really BIG guy on the left chomped on the tail end of the left combatant and both skeedaddled) 

NOW'S THE TIME!
I must tell you that there's really nothing quite like a personal visit to the boardwalk four miles north of Hearst Castle on California Highway 1 this time of the year, when there are pups popping out like Pez, huge males fighting for mating rights and the mating that occurs as a result.

(An Alpha Male declaring his dominance)

 (A "loser", identified by the scars on his back received when running away)

 GONE AWHILE
So, I snuck off for a few days, knowing full well that you'd miss me while I was gone.  My bag of technological tricks I took with me let me down, so I couldn't post new blog entries but did manage to post all the comments you sent my way.  Well, those that were at least marginally worthy of posting.  We can discuss that another time.

(Love is in the air.  Alpha male mating with female.  Nearly weaned pup beside them)

STILL TIME THIS YEAR
I want to remind you that there's still time to take a nice weekend drive up the coast - it's about 270 miles from Costa Mesa - spend the weekend in Cambria or San Simeon - or Cayucos, if you prefer - and see the critters.  Of course, you'll need to stop in to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center for a snack or souvenirs, too.  Prime time will continue through this month, although there are elephant seals on the beach all year long.

("Mom" and her pup, nursing.  Note Cookie Cutter Shark bites on her chest)

(Too many pups.  She was trying to nurse 7.  She can only adequately support 1.  All the pups will surely die soon)

LOOK FOR THE "FRIENDS"
When you visit the boardwalk look for folks wearing bright blue windbreakers - they are the volunteers from the Friends of the Elephant Seal who are there to answer every question you may have about the elephant seals.  Many of them have been performing their duties for more than 15 years and have racked up more than 3,000 hours of volunteer time to help make your visit more enjoyable.

 (Guides helping a group of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students)

Have fun..

*****

A MILLION THANKS

And, while I was gone my hit counter that measures the number of page views for this blog since I switched to this host back in November of 2006 blitzed right past the 1,000,000 mark!  When I arrived home late Saturday night this is how it looked.  Thanks to all of you who keep the meter spinning.  I appreciate your interest and comments, even though I've had to reject more than a few lately.  That's what happens when I post about our pal, Fitzy.  Please keep returning to this site when you feel so moved.  This will not be the only post tonight.  Thanks, again.