Fur seal release at Drakes Beach

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The storms have brought much trash to our south facing beaches at Point Reyes.

Today I went out again to grab as much as I could of the new arrival of human trash that washed up. Also, to enjoy the spectacle of a large group of male northern elephant seals lounging, lumbering, fighting and posing on the sand and almost in the parking lot.

As a bonus I got to watch four northern fur seal pups being released after several weeks of rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.

Over six years ago on this same beach a couple hundred feet away I came upon a lone and malnourished northern fur seal. I called the Marine Mammal Center and they came and picked her up. pictures and video of that day here.

Roadside birth of a calf

Two weeks ago I drove to Bodega to deliver a photographic print purchased as a gift.

The image she selected was a cow above the tall cliffs just north of Jenner.

On my way back, I spied a cow alongside route 1 with a placenta hanging out her backside.

What follows are a fraction of the amazing images I recorded as she gave birth to one huge calf.

The rancher said it was her first calf, a very large female, born to a large two-year old cow.

Less than fifteen minutes after being flung from her mothers’ uterus, this tiny cow struggled on noodle-wet legs to stand for the first time. Her mother licking her from head to toe during the entire process.

Click an image to see a larger version.







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Vacation, to leave one’s brain at home

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After a summer working in Yosemite Valley many years ago, the word vacation took on new meaning for me.

Watching tourons, as we called them, hacking down living trees to burn, stopping bus-sized RV’s in the middle of the road to get out and gape at a deer, hiking in 4-inch heels to vernal falls – all activities I witnessed again and again.

Imagine dealing with people like this on a daily basis and you can understand how an NPS employee might take on a misanthropic pallor.

Labor day is upon us. And so are the throngs of city dwellers eager for one last glimpse of nature. What a shame it is so many of them are unable to give nature even a sliver of respect.

While standing in line at The Bovine after plucking dozens of bottles and cans out of the dumpsters and cleaning both beaches at Drakes and Limantour, a lycra-clad fellow walked up and dumped a large paper bag FULL of bottles and cans into the trash bin by the door.

Kindly, I said “You know, there is a recycle bin right over there by your bike.”

He stopped, turned, glared and spat at me with a thick German/Austrian accent “Vye dont you mind your own fucking business!”

“Seeing as how I live out here, the state of our planet IS my fucking business. So won’t you put those recyclables in that bin over by your bike.”

He begrudgingly did, telling me “You could have said please.”

Seeing what has been left at the Limantour main trail-head, along with the above exchange, makes me think that humans have no business on this planet.

Happy holidays. Think kind thoughts for the 4 young men caught in the water at the mouth of The Estero, rescue/recovery underway as I write.

As always, click on an image to see a larger version.

Items left at Drakes and Limantour beach over Labor Day Weekend

Items left at Drakes and Limantour beach over Labor Day Weekend


Dog shit, bagged by dog owner, left on beach for the rest of us to enjoy.

Dog shit, bagged by dog owner, left on beach for the rest of us to enjoy.


Dog shit, bagged by dog owner, left on beach for the rest of us to enjoy.

Dog shit, bagged by dog owner, left on beach for the rest of us to enjoy.


Items left at Drakes and Limantour beach over Labor Day Weekend

Items left at Drakes and Limantour beach over Labor Day Weekend


Trash and recycle bins at Limantour. A large dumpster is 80 feet away.

Trash and recycle bins at Limantour. A large dumpster is 80 feet away.


Trash and recycle bins at Limantour. A large dumpster is 80 feet away.

Trash and recycle bins at Limantour. A large dumpster is 80 feet away.

Pelican feeding frenzy over Bolinas Lagoon

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A few months ago, an uncommon event unfolded before my eyes as I drove to my friend Tess’ house for dinner in Stinson Beach.

Hundreds of Brown Pelicans were swarming, diving, squawking as they gorged themselves on a large school of fish below.

Pelicans are an amazing bird to watch. Whether in flight or standing on a rock, they possess a prehistoric, erudite quality that I am drawn to. Seeing 20-30 of them in a long string flying inches over the waves always stops me in my tracks.

You can see other images of Pelicans here

Enjoy!

Click on the rectangle in the lower right corner of the video window to fill you screen.

River otters

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While visiting a favorite area today, I came upon a troop of river otters.

I’ve seen one or two here before, never this many.

How many can you see?

As each one came down to the pool of fresh water, it performed a brief ritualistic dance, relieved itself, then slipped in for a bath. Each successive otter smelled the ejecta of the prior otter before commencing its own dance.

Learn more about river otters here

Enjoy

Another roadside attraction

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She really seemed to like watching the cars go by.

I watched her for nearly an hour. She never budged.

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My life as a turkey

Not having a televsion, I did not know this came out two years ago.

I recommend you go watch it, after dinner.

Elephant aground in Tomales Bay

Click on the words “Elephant aground in Tomales Bay” above to see the pachyderm up close…

We had super strong winds Sunday evening.

As I was observing this trimaran in an unlikely location, a gentleman showed up and said he had heard this same boat (Ganesh) had previously been tied to a mooring whose anchor chain was a fraction of its original thickness.

I have found (and packed out) many, many pieces of boat in my shore wanderings (boat bits i call them).

This is the largest boat bit I’ve ever come across.

I think I’m gonna need a bigger backpack.

Click image to see a larger version.

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