Where are the Whales? Speculation continues that whales stayed feeding longer in the Arctic seas and delayed the annual migration south – delaying the return north. Sightings at the lighthouse continue to be sparse; high spring winds also contribute to limited opportunities to view whales.
Wildflowers blooming, plenty of fragrant creamy yellow wallflowers along the Lighthouse; daffodils at the old Glen Ranch/Hostel area. Brilliant Douglas iris are appearing in patches along Sir Francis Drake Highway. Other signs of spring, male deer sprouting velvet covered antlers.
Mark your calendars, on Thursday, March 11 at noon – park intern from the Republic of Soviet Georgia sister park Kolkheti National Park will present a show on this beautiful sea coast area. Free and open to the public.
Lovely new watercolors of park landscapes by Ayris Hatton are on display at the Bear Valley Visitor center through March and April.
The annual seal protection measures begin on Monday, March 1st as harbor seal pupping begins. Drakes Estero closes to boating as does South Blue Gums Beach on Tomales Bay. Harbor seals, silvery in color and much smaller than elephant seals, will begin returning to the protected coves along Drakes Estero and in Tomales Bay to deliver and nurse pups. The parents may leave the pup ashore for short periods of time while they catch a meal in the water – be sure to give all seals on land a wide berth to allow them to rest during this critical periods of their life cycle.
Elephant seals continue to depart the Headlands with plenty of activity between males after the females and pups turning up on Limantour Beach and Drakes Beach. Many of the young seals are molting and their paler old coat will appear torn up. This raggedy appearance is normal and they are conserving energy by lying on the beach as their new fur grows.
High surf has been pounding the beaches, they appear much smaller in winter as sand is carried to offshore bars. Safety first, do no turn your back on the waves and walk halfway up the beach, not near the water.
A pair of coyotes were spotted at South Beach approaching the small colony of elephant seals below the Lighthouse cliffs; perhaps to scavenge some dead pups. As the population of coyotes increases in West Marin, they have been taking advantage of seal pups on the beaches as an easy meal. These two were deflected by the size of the male seals in the area and decided to dine elsewhere. The seal colonies are flourishing with some loss of pups due to the high surf.
Lovely weather last Saturday reassured us that gray whales are passing, over 20 were seen under the clear skies at the point; the highest count for any day this season. They return in a month or so, More sightings are likely in March with February being the lull in sightings.
Marin County Open Space rangers will be leading a walk at Abbots Lagoon on Sunday, January 31 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; lot’s of resting birds and a possibility to see the freshwater otters who have a den there.
This weekend is the fifth annual ‘Fungus Fair’ with walks beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 30 at the Bear Valley Visitor Center; Sunday, January 31 a display of fungi may be viewed at the Visitor Center.
Winter in Point Reyes often focuses on the wildlife. And the Park Service is partnering with local organizations to present a special week of events that focuses on wildlife and the area’s maritime heritage. Activities include field trips, slideshows, films, talks, volunteer field events, and special dinners.
Events denoted by an asterix (*) are hosted by local businesses and need additional reservation or payment. Space is limited. See the Special Events
Hosted by Local Businesses RSVP and Contact information below for more details.
Saturday, January 16 *9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. PRNSA Field Seminar, Drawing Nature’s Contours with Joan Hoffmann
Sunday, January 17 1:30 p.m., Gray whale interpretive talk & viewing at Point Reyes Lighthouse with rangers
Monday, January 18 *11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Naturalist led kayak tour of Giacomini Wetlands, Blue Waters Kayak
4:00 p.m., Slideshow on marine protected areas and film: A Sheltered Sea (23 min) at Bear Valley Visitor Center
Tuesday, January 19 11:00 a.m., Films: Acid Test (15 min) and Our Synthetic Sea (22 min) at Bear Valley Visitor Center
2:00 p.m., Volunteer Event: Beach Cleanup at Drakes Beach
*5:00 p.m., Plate of Brass historical controversy talk with Edward Von der Porten and Dinner at Drakes Beach Café
Wednesday, January 20 11:00 a.m., Slideshow on the history of the Point Reyes Peninsula with historic photos at Bear Valley Visitor Center
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., Maritime Radio Historical Society open house at North District Operations Center
7:30 p.m., Talk on using underwater technology to explore Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary at the Red Barn Classroom; coffee and dessert provided
Thursday, January 21 1:00 p.m., Talk by Ralph Shanks on Life-Saving Service at Historic Lifeboat Station
2:00 p.m., Field trip, guided walk by marine mammal biologist to Elephant Seal viewing sites at Chimney Rock
*6:00 p.m., David McGuire’s shark films and discussion with dinner at the Farm House Restaurant
Friday, January 22 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Hike to Abbotts Lagoon & Habitat Restoration. RSVP to Theo Michaels, 415-464-5223 or by email
3:30–5:00 p.m., Talk and Film, Setting aside the Marin coast: Amy Meyer, conservationist & Nancy Kelly, documentary filmmaker, with showing of Moments in Time at Bear Valley Visitor Center
*5:30 p.m., Reception with Amy Meyer and Nancy Kelly at the Station House Café
Saturday, January 23 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Stream Team volunteer opportunity with coho salmon and steelhead trout program
Friday–Sunday, January 22–24 *7:00 p.m. Friday–4:00 p.m. Sunday, PRNSA Field Seminar, Photographing Birds with Oliver Klink
Special Events Hosted by Local Businesses RSVP and Contact information
Saturday, January 16 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
PRNSA Field Seminars
Drawing Nature’s Contours with Joan Hoffman
Price: $95 ($90 for PRNSA members)
To register, call: 415-663-1200 ext. 373
http://www.ptreyes.org
Monday, January 18 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Blue Waters Kayak
Naturalist-led Tomales Bay Giacomini Wetlands Tour
Price: $88 (10% of proceeds will benefit the Point Reyes National Seashore Association)
To sign-up, call: 415-669-2600 or (888) 5GO-BAJA
http://www.bwkayak.com
Tuesday, January 19 5 p.m.
Drakes Beach Café
“Plate of Brass” historical controversy with speaker Edward Von der Porten and prix fixe dinner
Price: $50
To RSVP (capacity: 35), leave a message at: 415-669-1297
Thursday, January 21 6 p.m.
Farm House Restaurant
Shark films and discussion with documentary filmmaker David McGuire and prix fixe dinner
To RSVP (capacity: 48), call: 415-663-1264
Friday, January 22 5:30 p.m.–6:15 p.m.
The Station House Café
Join acclaimed author and conservationist Amy Meyer and award-winning filmmaker Nancy Kelly for discussion, drinks & hors d’oeuvres following the Bear Valley Visitor Center “Moments in Time” event. Hors d’oeuvres & soft drinks from 5:30–6:15 p.m.
Price: $7.50 per person
No-host cocktails.
To RSVP, call: 415-663-1515
Dinner reservations recommended starting at 6:30 p.m. Group seating available.
To RSVP, call: 415-663-1515 or make online via OpenTable at www.stationhousecafe.com
Friday–Sunday, January 22–24 7 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Sunday
PRNSA Field Seminars
Photographing Birds with Oliver Klink
Price: $240 ($220 members for PRNSA members)
To register, call: 415-663-1200 ext. 373
As winter arrives, we’ll be seeing the Northern elephant seals (lounging in certain areas) and Pacific gray whales (migrating past the peninsula) return to the Point Reyes area. This wildlife also brings lots of visitors and the return of the shuttle bus system that takes folks out to Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse. The shuttle system will begin Saturday, December 26, 2009 and run through mid-April 2010. More from the Park Service.
Limited parking is available at prime viewing areas such as the Historic Lighthouse and Chimney Rock headlands. Bus service eases congestion in these areas and reduces green house gas emissions. The shuttle transportation system was identified in the Headlands Management Plan as an important tool to protect the fragile headlands but also allow access for visitors.
Bus service runs only on weekends and holidays in good weather. Ticket sales open at 9:00 a.m. at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach and close at 3:00 p.m. Children 16 and under are free, adult tickets are $5.00 per person and Federal Senior and Access pass discounts apply to the purchase. Sir Francis Drake Highway is closed at the South Beach junction when the busses are operating. Road closures begin at 9:00 a.m. and the road reopens approximately at 5:15 p.m. For more information, please call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at (415) 464-5100 x2 x5 or visit our Winter Shuttle Bus System page.
I’ve been wanting to write about my tour of the Cowgirl Creamery for a while now, but now I can refer you to William Wong’s account of his tour over at sfgate.com. This was a pleasant surprise since Bill is both a great writer and friend. Some quotes and link to full story below:
Cowgirl’s “tour” is actually a misnomer. It’s more like a seminar or tutorial about cheese-making followed by a tasting.
Cowgirl’s web site says this “tour” is a 25-minute presentation, followed by a tasting. Our “tour” lasted about 90 minutes — an informative talk by Michael Zilber, retail manager of Cowgirl, and a tasting of Cowgirl’s repertoire of cheeses: four fresh and four aged varieties. Man, were they delicious! Yes, we bought one variety to take home.
Cowgirl’s “tour” is actually a misnomer. It’s more like a seminar or tutorial about cheese-making followed by a tasting.
… Our “tour” lasted about 90 minutes — an informative talk by Michael Zilber, retail manager of Cowgirl, and a tasting of Cowgirl’s repertoire of cheeses: four fresh and four aged varieties. Man, were they delicious! Yes, we bought one variety to take home.
… if you have a Friday available, go to Pt. Reyes Station to take Cowgirl’s “tour” inside a restored barn, where you will learn about cheese-making, see it being made, try a hand yourself at part of the process, and taste some scrumptious cheeses, to boot.
Good news: the threats of complete state park closures due to the extreme state budget shortfalls did not come to fruition. Bad news: there are service cuts this year. Here is the summary of the service reductions of the two California State Parks in the Point Reyes area:
Tomales State Park: Main park entrance, Shell Beach lot, and Millerton Point lot will only be open weekends and some holidays through June 30, 2010.
Samuel P Taylor: Madrone Group Camp and Irving Group Picnic Day Use areas will be closed November 1, 2009 through March 25, 2010. They will open and go back on the reservation system (through Reserve America) starting March 26, 2010.
Tomales State Park: Main park entrance, Shell Beach lot, and Millerton Point lot will only be open weekends and some holidays through June 30, 2010.
Samuel P Taylor: Madrone Group Camp and Irving Group Picnic Day Use areas will be closed November 1, 2009 through March 25, 2010. They will open and go back on the reservation system (through Reserve America) starting March 26, 2010.
On Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm at Toby’s Feed Barn, the organizers of the Point Reyes Farmers Market will be hosting a fundraiser dinner to support the market and its farmers and vendors.
The dinner will be catered by Pam Ferrari, dessert by Sandra Wickholm, Wedgewood Organic Baker and music will be provided by Tim Weed and Friends
A silent auction of local artists’ renditions of autumn apples will be held. Bidding will take place at the October and November Farmers’ Markets, with final bidding held at the Harvest Dinner.
Tickets are sliding scale: $45 and up – as much as you can contribute to assure the continuity of the market.
Also available are reserved tables: $300 gets a table for 6; $400 for a table for 6 or 8; $500 for a table for 6 or 8.
Tickets are available at the Farmers’ Market and after November 7th at Point Reyes Books.
UPDATED 10/30/09: This project has been completed!
The Park Service has announced that the fence along the stairs at the Point Reyes Lighthouse will be repaired the week of October 19 – Monday-Friday. The stairs will be closed for this project as the rusting chain link is replaced. The work is expected to be completed within a week.
UPDATED 10/30/09: The planned prescribed burns for this fall have been cancelled due to the early rain; the combination of heat and damp can create damaging steam for seeds.
From the Point Reyes National Park Service:
Fire Management staff at Point Reyes National Seashore plan to burn 45 acres along Limantour Road and 130 acres along Highway One during 4 separate days over the next three weeks. One day of burning at Limantour is scheduled for the week of October 19, on either Wednesday or Thursday. Three days of burning along Highway One are scheduled for the weeks of October 26, and November 2, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday of those weeks. These burn dates may be delayed if conditions are too wet, dry or windy, or if the air will not provide good smoke dispersion. The burn locations are on the south side of Limantour Road, near Limantour Beach; and on the east side of Highway One, south of the Randall Trail. No trail closures will be necessary; however, there may be short traffic delays along Limantour Road and Highway One while burning is in progress.
The Limantour and Highway One projects are both part of a series of small burns along major road corridors designed to create strategic fuelbreaks in the park where a wildfire will be easier to control. Limantour Road and Highway One have increased potential for wildfire caused by vehicle-related ignitions. Fuel reduction along these roads will strengthen them as lines of defense to protect surrounding communities, as well as structures within the Seashore.
A 5 to 10 year burn rotation is targeted for the burn units in the Limantour fuelbreak to keep the coyote brush low and widely spaced where fire will move more slowly. The target burn rotation for the Highway One burn units is every other year to reduce the invasive French broom population and maintain open grasslands in between large areas of dense forest on Bolinas Ridge and Inverness Ridge.
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