Left behind

  

I've realized I don't share scat photos very often, but here's an interesting one — an example of Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) scat.

Dreaming of fish

  

Juvenile Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina), 1 June 2025
 

Dockside

  

Driving by Mason's Marina in Bodega Harbor today (16 April 2025), I noticed a Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) on one of the floating docks, but it looked like something else was there, too.  So I turned around for a better view and realized it was a small pup.  From a distance, I snapped a quick photo for the record.  Reviewing the photo later, I realized the pup still has an umbilical cord, so it's likely less than a week old.

Pile of pups

  

Thanks to a visit with Paul, we took a quick trip out to Point Reyes today and encountered some nice views of Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) pups. 

Click here for more information about viewing elephant seals at Point Reyes.

Resting

  

Whew, it's been a busy time!  We've just finished Day 40 of a big project, so don't be surprised if you see us looking something like this Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) during the next few days.

Thank you so much for tuning in to the Natural History of Bodega Head.  I am so grateful for your thoughtful comments and questions and observations throughout the year!

Subtle shades

  

A zoomed-in view, comparing color and pattern variation in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina).  [You can click on the image for a larger version.]

Napping before the tide comes in

  

There are some pretty plump and healthy looking Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) pups around right now.  Nice to see!

Profile view

  

Although the light was dim, this profile view is helpful for identifying a young Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris).  Note the pointed snout and the dense and relatively thick eyebrow whiskers.  Photographed off Bodega Head on 20 November 2022.

At the surface

 

 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) at the surface, 11 November 2022

One way to stay cool

  

Although air temperatures in Santa Rosa rose to 112°F (44°C) today, temperatures in Bodega Bay peaked at around 68°F (20°C).  But since it's going to stay warm for a few days, I thought this photo of a Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) might be a good one for bringing cooling thoughts to the surface.

Swimming lessons

 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) mother and pup.

 

Photographed on 30 April 2022.

 

Side sleepers

  

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) mother and pup , 6 May 2021

Sea-esta

  

From December 2020 — Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) on the outer beach at Point Reyes.

For a moment

One of the reasons I'm maintaining this blog is to serve as an archive, to leave a record of local species and natural events that other people can refer to in the future.  But I'll admit, during the last few days I haven't felt like taking photos of the smoky scenes surrounding us.  And I feel awful for everyone who's having a hard time right now.  So here's a photo to try to bring you to a different place, if even for a moment.  [You can click on it for a larger version.]

 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina), Drakes Estero, 8 August 2020

 

Sun, sand, and seal

 

Molting Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) sleeping in the sun.

Peaceful pinniped

 

a silver seal rests

 at the surface of the sea

dreams of salty fish

P.S.  Do you want to try your hand at a seal haiku?  Three lines: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables.  I bet you can come up with a good one!  :)

Where the rivers meet the sea

A few highlights from a short walk in Humarock, MA, this afternoon (26 December 2019), close to where the South River and North River meet.  This is my old stomping grounds (where I grew up), so there were some familiar friends, but some new ones, too!  

In order of appearance:

 

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) hunting over the dunes at Fourth Cliff

 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) resting on a floating dock

 

 

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched on a tree on Trouants Island in Marshfield, MA.  I spent many years here and never saw an eagle, so it was fun to be surprised by one today!  (My mom mentioned there is now a pair nesting along the North River.)

 

Ripples in birch bark 

 

Ripples in sand

Sleepy

 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina), 15 October 2019

 

Not a seal

I was doing a Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) survey today, slowly scanning across the shoreline to count individual seals hauled out on the rocks.

Then I did a double-take.  Hold on.  That's not a seal.

 

A River Otter (Lontra canadensis) was eating a fish.  The seal was more interested in napping, but two Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) were wondering if they might snatch some of the scraps.

Eventually the otter finished eating, left the rest of the fish to the gulls, and walked down to the water's edge:

 

I liked being able to see its front and hind feet.

 

Spring track

Do these tracks look familiar?  (The animal responsible is revealed below the photo.)

 

Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) tracks, 27 March 2019