Mile 117 - Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove - November 2, 2008

Report Details

The north cove is always full of life. Harbor seals, sea lions, gulls, a variety of other birds as well from phalaropes, oyster catchers, and the odd kingfisher to a blue heron we see out on the reef quite often. I have no idea if it is the same one we see each time. During the summer, turkey vultures are plentiful. In the winter the colorful harlequin ducks appears. The driftline is deep most of the time and filled with a variety of seaweeds but one needs Dave Bilderback there to identify them all.Last year we saw many whales off shore. They were there this year, I'm sure, but we did not see any. We did, however see a few harbor porpoises arcing in and out of the water on one occasion.In November we saw a black lab off-leash in the north cove. In October we came across what I thought was a newly-dead sea lion until it's whiskers twitched when I went to get a photograph of it. Turned out to be a sleeping elephant seal pup (see attached photo) which shows how much I know about these things.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SE.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Other Activities: Observing the sea.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Sea lions, Gulls, Oystercatchers, 15 male harlequin ducks, 3 females in the shelter of the headland at the southwestern end of the north cove. Heavy driftline.

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.

Actions & Comments

Heavy seas that day. The sea lions usually found on the southwestern headland of the north cove were not there. The driftline, which was washed away in last winter's storms is back. There are many more harlequin ducks in the north cove this year than last. I expect the females are about, but we saw mostly males.