Apr 29, 2013

National Seashore- Point Reyes, The beautiful coast


Point Reyes National Seashore Tule elk preserve


Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the gems of San Francisco bay area. Point Reyes peninsula is surrounded by the peaceful Pacific ocean. The seashore is just not a beach where one can hangout, it is an array of habitats for marine wildlife. Beaches, bays, lagoons, estuaries, tide pools and so on ... The  National Seashore was established to protect the delicate wilderness and ancient tribal culture and now it is a natural sanctuary for hundreds of plants and wildlife and also to the human spirit. The seashore offers long stretches of sandy beaches, hiking trails many other recreational activities. One of my favorite places where I went looking for photo-opportunities, inspiration and solitude!


Point Reyes National Seashore wildflowers

Known for clean beaches Point Reyes Seashore is a preserve for Tule Elks and Northern elephant seals. The elephant seal lookout is near Chimney Rock above Drakes Bay. It is wonderful experience to watch these marine creatures screaming to attract females! This call could be heard miles away. Pups sleep all the time even in that noise.  Point Reyes lighthouse is another beautiful attraction. After sunset one can see this illuminated lighthouse from the 300 steps high cliff.

Point Reyes National Seashore Tule Elk
Tule Elks
9 mile out-and-back hike to Tomales Point on alomost flat coastal trail is very refreshing and pleasant. Springtime this trail is lined with wildflowers and the birds sing melodies. Yellow and purple lupines paint the whole landscape and the orange California poppies highlight the beauty of this area. I found this milk thistle on the trail, standing upright with pride. Very photogenic in my opinion! Tomales Point area is one of the birder's paradise. One can see colorful little birds chirping around.

Point Reyes National Seashore Wildflower
Milk Thistle
The clarity of the day is unpredictable as the ocean fog creeps in without notice. This is very common scene. On clear days one can enjoy ocean views, rocky cliffs, numerous species of birds and herds of tule elks. Tomales Point area is declared as Tule Elk Preserve. Elks graze freely all along the trail and also can be seen from the road to the preserve.

A 1.5 mile trail to Abbots Lagoon beach is birders slice of heaven. I was there just once and sighted and photographed quite a many birds! One could even see bunnies hopping around. Chipmunks could be seen everywhere. California mule deer also makes an appearance if you are lucky! Palomarin trail to wildcat beach is 5.5miles long giving access to the Alamere Falls which interestingly flows into the ocean. The falls best seen after rainstorms is one of the popular picnic spots.

Point Reyes National Seashore Wildlife

There are many more beaches, lagoons, bay and rocky shores. hundreds of miles of hiking trails to beaches and along the coastline. There is one hostel too where I did spend a night. It was a good experience staying with six total-strangers in one single room. The hostel is located, it seems like, in the middle of nowhere, wilderness all around.

Point Reyes National Seashore birds

Though windy and foggy most of the time, Point Reyes is one interesting piece of Geology, one of the finest places for birdwatching, popular tourist and recreational destination, one of the best places to see Elephant seals and Tule elks and much more! When in San Francisco Bayarea it is a must visit place!
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Leave a comment to share your beautiful thoughts :)

Related articles-
More photos of Point Reyes National Seashore
National Parks of USA

If you want pictures please ask me :)

This post is linked to Our World Tuesday and Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.
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Scrapbook- A Travel Blog by Kusum Sanu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

46 comments:

  1. Seems like a lovely place to visit. Nice narration Kusum.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/04/vythiri-gateway-to-wild-wayanad.html

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  2. Wow - amazing scenery and nature. Fabulous shots.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lady Fi. Really amazing scenery!

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  3. That is a beautiful area and your captures are wonderful, Kusum! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great week!

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  4. Such a range of wildlife. It looks a beautiful place to explore.

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  5. What a great park, love the wildlife and the beautiful scenery! Wonderful photos, have a happy week!

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  6. Such a lovely looking place, your photos are lovely, I love the first shot.

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  7. It is simply beautiful out there. The views are stunning, well after the fog burns out, or say before the fog comes in.

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    1. Yep, Point Reyes is popular as beautiful seashore!

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  8. Wonderful to see your catalogue of animals, plants and birds. Love the grazing deer.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Arija. The place is bustling with small wildlife!

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  9. A very nice group of beautiful photos.

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  10. The second pic with the mist, is straight out of a dreamy movie sequence. The place is totally inviting. And the shape of that flower is just marvellous!

    A lot of your posts have to be read. Why we travel one sounds amazing :-)

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    1. Thank you Jenny! Yes, the place gets unpredictable mist which at times looks dreamy and at times very haunting! Thistle is photogenic!

      Yes, I want to know your reactions on my earlier posts you missed!

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  11. Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  12. What a great place. I would love to hike there.

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  13. What a beautiful place, great photos!

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  14. Wonderful pictures of one of the loveliest seashores in the world I'm sure. Thanks for sharing the hike.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it is the loveliest seashore in the world!

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  15. Great pictures Kusum. Venturing into the wild itself is so much beautiful...watching birds, animals, and the sounds they make! The picture of coast covered in mist is amazing!

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    1. Thanks Anu! Yes, this part of the coast attracts a lot of mist!

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  16. Great photos. The scenery is beautiful and the birds make it that much more special.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Mick! Glad you like the pictures!

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  17. Great Place, lovely photos!
    Well done!

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  18. Such lovely places you take us! Your photos are awesome.

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  19. Beautiful post. I love the thistle and the elk.

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  20. Thank you for a very interesting and beautiful post! I hope to visit there someday.

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  21. You do go to the most amazing places Mother Nature has to show....Michelle

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Michelle! Every bit of Mother Nature is a wonder, don't you agree?

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