One Day in Point Reyes
The ongoing debate around land use at Point Reyes National Seashore has been one more difficult focal point in 2020. Private industry has been allowed to dig its heels in and expand operations, which will inevitably come at the cost of the native species. I’ve already expressed my strong objection in both words and action, but this week, I spent a day at the park, which should provide some extra context for why I feel that way.
I started at sunrise with a hike to Abbott’s Lagoon. Along the trail, I saw a mule deer deep in the brush, multiple families of California quail scampering around, a northern harrier cruising above, and a handful of rabbits making the most of a quiet morning. When I arrived at the lagoon, a flock of loons floated near the shore, and I focused my attention on a great blue heron pulling fish after tiny fish from the water. Within minutes, a river otter cruised by and surfaced near the heron. They exchanged a brief dispute and headed in different directions.
Later, I took the opportunity to explore a new park area. There were no significant discoveries, but yellow-rumpled warblers and white-crowned sparrows flitted from branch to branch around me. I watched a red-tailed hawk glide by, and a black-tailed jackrabbit disappear into the long grass.
In the afternoon, I walked along Drake’s Beach, where many elephant seals slumped on the sand or competed for prime mating space. Two burst into conflict while long-billed curlews and gulls focused on their disagreements by the ocean’s edge. I couldn’t find any great horned or burrowing owls in their usual places, but I did spend time with a red-shouldered hawk.
As the day wore on, I decided to focus on bobcats, but a long-tailed weasel caught my attention. I spent a fascinating hour watching it pop up from a network of tunnels and race around the field. The whole time I sat there, a bachelor group of tule elk cautiously watched on.
When I left that area and headed to my favorite place to find bobcats, I was immediately rewarded with one heading into the bushes. I didn’t get a photograph, but ten minutes later, I found another sleeping in the grass. I lay on the grass, waiting for it to wake up, and when it did, it walked right past me. I got back in the car, delighted with this encounter, and as I drove out of the park, I spotted a third bobcat sitting on the hillside. Through the cover of trees, I closed the distance and captured a great portrait.
In one single day in Point Reyes, I photographed fifteen species and saw many more enjoying life in their natural but shrinking habitat. If there was any doubt this is a special place and must be protected, today was the reassurance anyone should need.
