Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
September 20, 2009
Unusual to find six dead sea lions in the North Cove.
Report Details
Unusual to find six dead sea lions in the North Cove. One had been reduced to a skeleton although the skin was still more or less intact, the others were still intact although they had clearly been there for a while. Four Turkey Vultures on the beach at the north end of the North Cove and quite a few, at least twenty, circling above the southern end of the cove. The Blue Heron we almost always see out on the rocks around Simpson's Reef was close inshore this time. A lot of seaweed in a heavy driftline as well as logs, wood pieces and land-based debris. Picked up bits of plastic and beverage cans. Low human impact (5)-3 walking and 2 taking photographs. Two dogs on leashes.Nothing new to report in the Center Cove.
Conditions
Temperature: 49 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NE. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 3. Photography: 2. Not intrusive. Both dogs on leashes.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 3.
Notable Wildlife
Seals, Sea lions, gulls, heron, turkey vultures, lots of seaweed in heavy driftline
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 6. Dead sea lions
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Wood pieces. Logs
Actions & Comments
Picked up bits of plastic and beverage cans
Report Images
Pat&RobertaSmit
CoastWatcher
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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.
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Here’s how things went: As we clamber down into the North Cove, a magnificent Osprey rises from the water right under our noses.
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Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).
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Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.
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Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
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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