Mile 178 Report
Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves
December 21, 2008
For the past three months I have not been able to observe my entire beach because there have been from one to two hundred sea lions hanging out on the South end of Cape Cove.
Report Details
For the past three months I have not been able to observe my entire beach because there have been from one to two hundred sea lions hanging out on the South end of Cape Cove. As everyone knows, it is not advisable (or legal) to disturb these mammals. It was really nasty weather today and I thought I would try my beach again, thinking that the sea lions would be seeking shelter inside of Sea Lion Caves to the immediate South, and I could have the entire beach to myself. Well I was wrong, there were about a hundred of them there today. Fortunately they were all crowded on the South end as usual, but the trailhead is on the North end. I went down to the beach and just kept my distance. Lots of sand had gotten scoured off the beach so far this season. This has made for some good agate hunting. Agates, light in color, are easy to spot when they are laying on top of a substrate of black "coble" rock. This beach has consistently been an excellent producer of trophy-sized agates.Commercial crabbing season started about three weeks ago and evidence is washing up on the beach. Three commercial crab pots have washed in and gotten destroyed on the rocks. I found a couple crab pot bouys with the new ODFW tags on them that identify the boat, and the crab season (08-09). I also found an 8" plastic Japanese float ball.I've asked Santa for a digital camera for Christmas so maybe I'll be able to upload photos for my next report. Happy Holidays everyone!
Conditions
Temperature: 46 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. This unique beach has no public access and therefore human activity is not very commonplace.
Notable Wildlife
About a hundred sea lions lounging on the South end of Cape Cove, thus, I had to keep my distance.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. Couldn't tell by the remains what species it was, but some other animal(s) made a meal of it.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam, Wood pieces.
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.
Actions & Comments
I have been keeping watchful eye on a drainage pipe installed in 2000 after major landslide that kept hwy 101 closed for about four months. It was raining heavily today so I got to see it in action. The stream of water flowing out of it was landing on cobble rock about 15' below, so it didn't seem to have any erosion issues,that is probably why they have it cantilevered about 10' past the edge of the bluff.
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