In an era of vanishing wetlands, the Watsonville Sloughs, one of the largest fresh water wetlands in the California Coastal region, lie nearly hidden in Santa Cruz County within sight of the Monterey Bay. This series of essays by Jerry Busch brings to light the mysteries and beauties of the slough habitats and the wild creatures that live there. Woodcuts by Andrea Rich and photographs by Gypsy P. Ray, Frank Maxey, Virginia Newton, Edison Rosser, Victor Schiffren and Carol Whitehill further highlight the richness of this area. Watching the Watsonville Wetlands takes the reader on an armchair tour of these sloughs. The nature essays are enhanced by Gary Kittleson's description of the sloughs' geological evolution, and Christine Johnson-Lyon's rich cultural/social history of the area. Complete with maps and species list, this book encourages the reader to discover this rare treasure firsthand. Jerry Busch and the Watsonville Wetlands Watch have revealed to us a hidden and wonderful world in the overlooked Watsonville sloughs. This book will, at once, serve as a great introduction and a motivation for visiting the subtle splendor of the wet world west of Watsonville. Book jacket.