Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
December 17, 2011
Not much to report.
Report Details
Not much to report. In the North Cove: more sand on the inshore rocks than previously; thick accumulations of eel grass as well as shells, animal casings, small rocks, wood pieces in the wrackline. Did not see many birds. No Black Oystercatchers. Harbour Seals in the bay. Sea Lions on Shell Island, but none close in.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 4.5 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 1. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 2. Photography: 3. Tidepooling: 2.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 5. ATVs/OHVs parking: 1.
Notable Wildlife
GullsSea LionsHarbour Seals
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Harbor Seal (?)/Decapitated/High wrack line ... N 43 deg 18.590 min; W 124 deg 23.811 min ... Body 36 inches, Tail (separated) 12 inches, Flipper 11 inches.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces.
Natural Changes
Some erosion ... south end of North Cove
Pat&RobertaSmit
CoastWatcher
All Mile 117 Reports
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
North Cove of Cape Arago was fairly clean of debris other than boat hull on north end.
Jhorse
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Here’s how things went: As we clamber down into the North Cove, a magnificent Osprey rises from the water right under our noses.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The North Cove is closed in the Spring during the Harbor Seal and Elephant Seal pupping season, so we were not able to walk the beach.
Pat&RobertaSmit