May 3, 2004
Point Reyes 2nd May
The last long-haul sightseeing trip with my parents was to the legendary Point Reyes National Seashore. Our first stop was the lighthouse. The wind was very strong out here, and it was quite a struggle to make it up the headland! Our efforts were rewarded with close views of a mother and calf Gray Whale. Dad was pretty excited by this - I guess there's nothing quite like seeing your first whale! On the birding front, there were zillions of Common Murres and Surf Scoters on the sea. Passerines were in short supply (no migrants here), save for a few singing White-crowned and Song Sparrows.
It was just as windy over at Chimney Rocks, where we walked out to see the Elephant Seal pups from the recently-established colony. A testament to the power of digiscoping, note that the seals are just about visible on the near beach in the first picture below. A few more birds were out on the water, including a moulting Common Loon, many Surf Scoters, Western and Eared Grebes (in summer plumage).
We then took the long and winding drive up to the Tule Elk Preserve on the north of the peninsula, where we found a small herd feeding in fields carpeted with wildflowers.
Our last stop before heading home was the picnic area adjacent to the information centre at the reserve entrance. A few resident and migrant birds were visible here, including many Acorn Woodpeckers, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Allen's Hummingbird, Band-tailed Pigeon, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers and Warbling Vireo. We also spotted a snake along the earthquake trail, which unfortunately slunk off into long grass before I could photograph it.
Posted by rjhall at May 3, 2004 10:44 PM