Mile 118 Report
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
July 29, 2012
I saw a total of 5 people.
Report Details
I saw a total of 5 people. Two were hiking with 3 dogs. The other two were watching wildlife. In addition there were 10 sport fishing boats.According to Shoreline Education for Awareness wildlife interpreters that I talked to yesterday, the California sea lions have just started returning from the breeding grounds. There were 3 female N. elephant seals going through their molt on Shell Island. Stellar sea lions, Harbor seals, and 1 gray whale were also observed. I observed 2 Bald eagles (the SEA folks saw a golden eagle 2 days ago), 1 turkey vulture, and 1 osprey as well as Pacific loons gulls, and pigeon guillemots.Physically the area was normal. There was some styrofoam and 3 small timbers on the beach. I was unable to tell if there was any chance any of it came from Japan.
Conditions
Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 2. There were also 10 sport fishing boats off the coast of this mile.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
California Sea Lions (CSLs)-according to Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA) wildlife interpreters I spoke with yesterday, the numbers have just gone up as a result of CSLs returning from the breeding grounds. 3 female N. elephant seals, Stellar seal lions, harbor seals and 1 gray whale. 2 Bald eagles, 1 osprey,1 turkey vulture. Also Pacific loons and Pigeon guillemots (Note-a Golden eagle was seen 2 days ago).
Driftline Content
Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam.
All Mile 118 Reports
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Shore Acres State Park is a lovely place, with beautiful vistas and hiking trails, hundreds of marine mammals visible at Simpson Reef Overlook, and a wonderful botanical garden.
GasiorowskiM
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
I saw a total of 5 people.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Human Activities; 2 people walking their dogs and picking up trash, 2 people fishing, and 2 people watching wildlife.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Not much happening.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
A lady sketching seals and sea lions from the Simpson's Reef Viewing Area pointed out an Elephant Seal with two pups.
Pat&RobertaSmit