Pelicans are always plunge diving to catch fish. With all that diving for fish, California brown pelicans need to keep their feathers water resistant and dry.
Pelican Preening Photo Essay
Tag: San Francisco Bay Area
Mountain bikers sideline environmentalists in local Sierra Club
It’s not only the federal government that’s undergoing a purge of experienced, dedicated workers. It appears to be happening in the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club as well, as the interests of mountain bike enthusiasts continue to clash with the club’s established environmental policies.
On February 10, the chapter’s recently elected Executive Committee (ExCom) removed a slew of longtime environmentalists—without giving any reason—from chapter committees working on certain issues.
The East Bay Public Lands Committee, which monitors policies such as vegetation management, trails, and planning for regional parks and EBMUD watershed lands, was one victim of the purge. Three of those removed are from Alameda.
Continue reading “Mountain bikers sideline environmentalists in local Sierra Club”Alameda Point Sideshow Goes on Undeterred
Some call sideshow activity an abuse of machinery, a public safety risk, or bad for the environment. Others find enjoyment.
On Sunday, January 28, hundreds of cars assembled at Alameda Point at the intersection of West Tower Avenue and Monarch Street (aka Spirits Alley) for a “car show.” The atmosphere was similar to a tailgate party in anticipation of a sporting event, with vendors and people mingling about, talking to friends, and loud music playing.
Continue reading “Alameda Point Sideshow Goes on Undeterred”Harbor seal molting and mating behavior up close
Shedding and replacing fur coats
Every summer, and even into the fall, harbor seals go through a biological process known as molting, in which they shed their fur and grow a new layer to keep their fur healthy. You can tell when they are molting by the patchy appearance of their fur.
Continue reading “Harbor seal molting and mating behavior up close”Brown pelicans love their Alameda Point summer home
Every summer, thousands of California Brown Pelicans migrate north to the San Francisco Bay area from breeding sites on the Channel Islands and Mexico. As many as 8,000 have been counted on their favorite resting site in the Bay on the isolated breakwater barrier at Alameda Point, known as Breakwater Island or the outer rock wall.
From a distance, the birds blend into the alternating dark and light background of the rocks. A July 22, 2022, kayak excursion to the area provided a telephoto opportunity to share the colors, character, and peaceful demeanor of these iconic birds.
Below is a photo gallery showing some of the thousands that were on the north side of the rock wall that day.
Continue reading “Brown pelicans love their Alameda Point summer home”Caspian and Elegant Terns join Least Terns to nest at Alameda Point
Naval Air Station-Alameda gained notoriety as a refuge for the endangered California Least Tern when the base closed in 1997. Over 500 acres were dedicated to protecting the terns’ adopted nesting site next to a runway formerly used by jet aircraft.
This unlikely bird habitat for the Least Terns some 400 miles north of their historic breeding grounds along the southern California coast offered the birds something they had lost, which drove them to the brink of extinction – nesting sites free of human disturbance near a source of small fish to feed their chicks.
Surprisingly, two other tern species have recently begun nesting in the vicinity. Elegant and Caspian Terns seem to be thriving there, while the endangered Least Terns are struggling.
Continue reading “Caspian and Elegant Terns join Least Terns to nest at Alameda Point”Alameda Point harbor seals attract educational groups
About 240 students from Eldorado Middle School in Concord visited Alameda Point to make observations of the harbor seals on March 22. The school participates in an educational program sponsored by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito called Ocean Ambassadors.
The students arrived in two groups. While the first group was at the trailside viewing site, a second group was on a ferry ride around San Francisco Bay to view marine wildlife. The second group arrived in the afternoon, while the first group went on the ferry excursion.
Alameda Point was chosen for viewing harbor seals because it is the only place on the Bay that is easily accessible for viewing seals.
Continue reading “Alameda Point harbor seals attract educational groups”
Alameda Point Environmental Report 