Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
December 20, 2009
Winter storms have cleared away the seaweed driftline.
Report Details
Winter storms have cleared away the seaweed driftline. There were, of course, the usual big logs. The sea lions that usually inhabit Simpson's Reef were all close in shore in large groups, both on the headland rocks and floating on their sides in the North Cove with one fin in the air. All this observed from the cliffs. We did not want to disturb the sea lions by walking the beach. There were several seals swimming in the Center Cove. We don't usually see them there. The Black Oystercatchers were back on the headland rocks. None of the usual groups of Harlequin Ducks and Western Grebe. The Great Blue Heron we almost always see was there, though not wading the pools, but sitting in a tree on the side of the North Cove. Did not see the pair of Bald Eagles that were there earlier in the fall.
Conditions
Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 4. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 2. Nothing special.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 2.
Notable Wildlife
Seals, Sea Lions, Black Oystercatchers, Great Blue Heron, Gulls
Report Images
Pat&RobertaSmit
CoastWatcher
All Mile 117 Reports
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
North Cove of Cape Arago was fairly clean of debris other than boat hull on north end.
Jhorse
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Here’s how things went: As we clamber down into the North Cove, a magnificent Osprey rises from the water right under our noses.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The North Cove is closed in the Spring during the Harbor Seal and Elephant Seal pupping season, so we were not able to walk the beach.
Pat&RobertaSmit