January 20, 2005
Fog-fest at Point Reyes
On MLK day I joined lab-mates John, Diana and Hiroyuki for a trip to Point Reyes to see Elephant Seals. As you can see, the weather was superb when we arrived...
... and stayed fine while we were at the lighthouse. The sea was teeming with Common Murres and Brown Pelicans, including this individual in fine breeding plumage.
Just before we headed to the Chimney Rock Elephant Seal lookout, a blanket of dense fog rolled in - so dense, in fact, I was worried we wouldn't see the seals at all! Over the next hour the fog thinned just enough for me to get this pic of the alpha male and some cute pups behind.
Many large squid were being washed up dead here. One of the docents tells us they are a warm-water species rarely seen this far north - further evidence of a weak El Nino year perhaps?
This Glaucous-winged Gull was enjoying the pickings.
When the fog and the chill got too much, we retreated to the Drakes Beach Cafe for some fine fish and chips before heading back to Davis. I don't think I've seen the sun since - will this fog ever clear?
Posted by rjhall at January 20, 2005 05:08 PM