Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
September 19, 2010
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
Report Details
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual. Lots of noisy sea lions out on Simpson's Reef, and quite a few Harbor Seals swimming about in the North Cove. (A rather inquisitive one followed us as we walked along the beach. Every time I looked up, it had its head out of the water staring at us. How do I know it was the same one? I don't really, but it was further inshore than the others). There are lots of very colorful Harlequin Ducks in the North Cove at this time of the year. Also, groups of Black Oystercatchers on the rocks at the southern end of the North Cove. Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, small rocks, wood pieces and a large number of plastic bottles in the driftline. 20 people sight seeing. There is almost always a Great Blue Heron somewhere in the North Cove. This is one of the few times we did not see it.
Conditions
Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 20. Other Activities: Sight seeing.
Concerns
Litter
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 11.
Notable Wildlife
Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers and Gulls.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 2. Sea Lions, Dead, North Cove (Reported separately: GPS positions and photographs)
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. More plastic bottles than usual - a lot of them. Some glass bottles.
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls. Nothing major.
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