Brian Smith's Photos

Back to Point Reyes for a full day out — starting at Abbotts Lagoon, then out to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock, taking in the views, the birds, and a good haul of Elephant Seals.

Abbotts Lagoon

The morning started with a Columbian Black-tailed Deer grazing alongside a Great Egret, then a Great Blue Heron down at the water.

Out toward the beach: the dunes, breaking waves, and a Brown Pelican working the shoreline.

Back around the lagoon: another Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, a Bumblebee working a Bull Thistle, and a White-tailed Kite hovering over the grassland.

The Lighthouse

On to the Point Reyes Lighthouse — clear enough to pick out the Farallones on the horizon, with a Song Sparrow and Hare’s-tail grass along the path down.

Down on the rocks below: Common Murres and Brandt’s Cormorants packed onto the ledges, with a California Sea Lion hauled out among them.

More lighthouse views and a last patch of Hare’s-tail grass and Beach Aster before heading on to Chimney Rock.

Chimney Rock

Last stop of the day, and the best for wildlife — the Elephant Seal colony hauled out on the beach below, a few smaller Harbor Seals mixed in among them.

A busy stretch of rock and shoreline: Brown Pelicans, a Western Gull, Brandt’s Cormorants, and a Black Oystercatcher all sharing the same patch.

Out on the water, the Lisa Marie, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife research vessel, with San Francisco just visible on the horizon.

One more deer, another Elephant Seal, and a last look at the cormorants before heading home.

Lagoon, lighthouse, and a rock full of seals — Point Reyes rarely disappoints, and this trip was no exception.