Mile 118 - Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint - July 31, 2015

Report Details

Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual. California sea lions are returning in numbers from their annual trip to their breeding grounds on the Channel Islands of Southern California. In response, Steller sea lions numbers dropped from earlier in the summer. There were 3 Northern elephant seals present for their annual catastrophic molt. A wide variety of bird life was observed from a vulture and osprey to hummingbirds and a flock of Cedar waxwings.The Bog lily restoration plots are are pretty much overgrown now. The northern plot has a "cage" that according to the park's head naturalist has some thing to do with the project. As she is on maternity leave she is not up to speed on it. I will pursue the topic when I return in October.About a 1/4 mile of forest on the top of the bluff has been thinned. The area had been very overgrown. This should help the fire situation. This year's lack of precipitation was very evident. There was nowhere near the normal number of seeps and small streams on this mile.Human activities were mainly 45 people observing wildlife at Simpson Reef and 2 people walking their dog.

Conditions

Temperature: 70 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: W.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Other Activities: Observing pinnipeds 45. Human activities were "under control" and people were behaving as you would hope they would.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15.

Notable Wildlife

3 Northern elephant seals, hundreds of California sea lion recently returned from their breeding grounds, a small number of Steller sea lions, 1 Douglas squirrel. 1 Turkey vulture,1 Osprey, 1 hummingbird and a flock of Cedar waxwings.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Wood pieces.

Man-made Modifications

Forrest had been thinned for about a 1/4 mile where it was really thick. Areas that had been thinned to promote bog lily growth a few years ago are now overgrown. The northern site has a "cage" that has some thing to do with the project. Trying to re

Natural Changes

There were nowhere near the normal seeps or small streams along the trail.

Actions & Comments

I contacted the head naturalist about the bog lily restoration sites. She's on maternity leave and is not up to speed on the project. I'm currently on a cross country trip and will pursue the topic when I get back in October.The top of about 10 yards of fence were missing. Suspect vandalism.

D Bone

CoastWatcher

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Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

August 22, 2022

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