Mile 31 Report
Otter Point State Wayside, Bailey Beach
May 13, 2009
If it looks like a smelt and acts like a smelt, it's probably a smelt.
Report Details
If it looks like a smelt and acts like a smelt, it's probably a smelt...
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Notable Wildlife
Yesterday (and during past 2 weeks)a few oystercatchers (6). First I've seen on this beach in a few years. None today. Just above the incoming wave line, a small(4in long) fish (alive and wiggling), resembled a smelt or grunion. Smaller cross-section for it's length than a grunion, but same green translucent sides, silver top. Near a hole in sand about the dia. of a pencil, but no female in the hole. The tide was coming in, which is what grunion wait for, so they can mate and be carried back out on sucessive waves. I put this one back in the water and it swam outward without hesitation. I hope I wasn't interfering with it's sex life. I've never seen one of these before in this area.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. plastic bottles
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Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me.
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