One quick otter story: We camp at Fort Flagler State Park every year, and at
the north beach there we've seen a family of otters several times over the
years, so often that we refer to it as "Otter Beach". We saw what appeared
to be mom, dad, and two kids paddling around only about twenty feet offshore
at one point.

As for singing birds, I too heard a singing house finch this morning, and
last week while walking in Discovery Park, my mom and I heard a pretty,
delicate little song and traced it to a pair of brown creepers. I don't know
if I've EVER heard them sing before: it was lovely.

The juncos in my yard are trying out their voices, too, but it's just brief
snippets. I suspect they'll head off to the mountains pretty soon.

-Josh