Harbor Seal Pups in Tomales Bay

Harbor seal pup hidden amongst the rocks
Photo by Todd Johansen 2011

            While paddling close to shore north of White Gulch, looking for a sea star or two, our Saturday kayak tour suddenly stumbled upon a grey and white harbor seal pup resting on the shore, tucked into the rocks. While this offered us a rare opportunity to see a pup up close, it was important that we quickly move along and leave the pup alone.

            As humans, our first instinct is to help the little guy, assuming that it has been abandoned or is sick. In actuality, mother harbor seals often leave their pups on shore for periods of time. The mother seal needs to hunt to provide sustenance for herself and for her pup, but cannot effectively snag a meal if the pup is tagging along, slowing her down. Therefore, the mother tucks the pup away, hidden amongst the shoreline, and returns in a couple of hours, once she has caught enough to eat.

            In Point Reyes, Drakes Estero is a popular pupping ground for harbor seals. It is protected March through July and access routes to the pups are closed off to protect the pups and mothers from human disturbance. Smaller numbers of pups can also be found in Tomales Bay, however, and only a few certain areas are protected, so it is important to be aware when paddling in the bay, what to do if you see a harbor seal.

            If you see a harbor seal pup along the shore in Tomales Bay, do not approach it. Quietly move away from the seal, as human presence will not only cause stress for the pup, but will prevent the mother from returning.

            The east shore of Hog Island is a popular haul out spot for harbor seals in the bay. It is illegal to land on the east side of the island, or to approach close enough to cause disturbance to the hauled out seals. It is important for them to haul out on land so that they can rest and regulate their body temperature. They also use haul out sites to give birth and to nurse their young. Human activity too close to harbor seals causes them to “flush” or rush into the water. If they are flushed often enough, they will abandon favorite haul out sites or even their young pups.

            Harbor seals are common this time of year in Tomales Bay, and can often be seen swimming near Hog Island. Even while staying clear of Hog Island, a kayaker can get an up close and personal view of a harbor seal as the curious animal swims by and investigates the boat. They feel much more comfortable in the water, and will get quite close to a kayaker, or follow the boat for a short distance.

Wildflowers and Wildlife at Chimney Rock

With the transitioning of the seasons comes the blooming of wildflowers and the beginning of the northbound Grey Whale migration to Alaska. In April and May, they pass through the waters just off the coast of Point Reyes, setting the stage for spectacular whale watching from Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse. A short hike out to Chimney Rock makes for a lovely morning filled with spectacular wildflowers, breathtaking views of Drakes Bay, the Farallon islands, the Lighthouse, migrating Grey Whales and hauled out Northern Elephant Seals along the secluded beaches below.



View of Chimney Rock from the Trail
Photo by Rosy Woodruff 2011. All Rights Reserved

 The weather has been calm and sunny out here in Point Reyes for several days, so I decided it would be a great morning to go check out the flowers and see if I could catch a view of a whale or two. I should have checked the weather, however, because the wind was whipping across Chimney Rock, threatening to knock me to the ground. The choppy wind waves in the ocean prevented me from sighting any grey whales, but the spectacular wildflower bloom was worth the trip. Pink checkerblooms and red Indian Paintbrush add some patches of color to the sea of deep green grasses and brilliant purple Douglas Iris. As the season continues to progress, more and more wildflowers will begin to blanket Chimney Rock in a sea of vibrant colors.



Checkerblooms and Buttercups
Photo by Rosy Woodruff 2011. All Rights Reserved.

 Northern Elephant Seals occupy the beaches near Chimney Rock as they give birth, breed and molt in winter and early spring. They have not always prospered here, however. In the early 1800's Elephant Seals were hunted nearly to extinction for their prolific amounts of blubber that was used to make oil. Thought to have been extinct for years, a small population of Elephant Seals was discovered off the coast of Baja California in 1892. By the early 1930's, the Mexican government gave protection to the struggling seals and the United States government soon followed suit. For the next 50 years, Elephant Seals grew in numbers and began repopulating former breeding sites along the coast of California. By the 1976, the first pup was born in Point Reyes. Today the population numbers more than 1200 seals during the high season.

Young Elephant Seal makes its way towards a group of females
Photo by Rosy Woodruff 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Grey Whales can be seen from Point Reyes twice a year: during their southbound migration in December and January or their return migration in April and May. The annual migration of the Grey Whale exceeds that of any other mammal. Each year they leave their summer homes in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska and travel south to the warm lagoons of Baja California to breed and give birth. Then, in the spring they pack up the new babies and migrate back home to Alaska, traveling over 12,000 miles round trip in one year. During their northbound trip in April and May, they are easier to view because they are traveling slower due to the opposing current and the slower moving calves they have with them. They are also traveling closer to shore to keep the calves safe from potential predators at sea. Grey whales feed differently than other baleen whales. Rather than gulping up large amounts of water then filtering out krill and expelling the excess water, grey whales use their baleen to dredge the bottom of the sea then filter invertebrates out of the mud. They have much smaller sets of baleen than other whales because of this difference.

Blooming Lupine
Photo by Rosy Woodruff 2011. All Rights Reserved/.

April and May are great months to hike out to Chimney Rock. Get out there and enjoy the scenery before the elephant seals leave and the whales finish their migration.