Tag: point reyes national seashore

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Ear-Tagged Elk

This cow elk has been ear-tagged.
Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

Here is an ear-tagged cow elk.  She is one of almost 500 elk at the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point.  There is an identifying number on her right ear tag.  The other tag was inserted in the opposite direction.  I don’t know for sure why that was done, but I’m assuming it has the same identifying number and was inserted that way so the identifying number would be visible from the rear of the animal.  This herd has not increased in size for some time and therefore seems to be self-regulating.  The other herd, the Limantour Herd, numbers about 100 animals.

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A Pair of Coyotes

these two coyotes seem to be mates.
A mated pair?

In my last post regarding a bobcat I mentioned I saw a pair of coyotes.  It was the first time I’d seen a pair of coyotes in Point Reyes National Seashore.  I saw them again yesterday.  I think they are a mated pair.  The one on the right is very light colored, almost white.  Assuming I’m right that they are a mated pair, I assume the light one is the female based on its smaller size.  It is mating season, so I assume they will produce a litter of pups this spring.  I would love to photograph the pups.

At first I was reluctant to post this photo.  It’s not a very good photograph.  However, I decided to post it because it is mating season and because of the unusually light color of the one I think is the female.

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Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of bull elk.
Bull Elk at Sunset

Just before sunset, a bull elk looks across a field and sees another one of those creatures with only two legs.

This is one of the biggest bulls I’ve seen at Point Reyes.  A large Tule elk bull will weigh about 600 pounds.  While that may seem fairly heavy, Roosevelt (AKA Olympic) bull elk, which inhabit coastal forests from Northern California up into British Columbia, can weigh more than 1,000 pounds.  The Rocky Mountain (AKA American) elk splits the difference.  A Rocky Mountain bull elk can weigh up to 800 pounds.   Rocky Mountain elk are by far the most numerous.

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Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A bobcat rests in a field.
Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

A bobcat takes a rest in a field.  I’ve been seeing a lot of bobcats and coyotes at Point Reyes lately.  I saw a bobcat and three coyotes last Friday.  I saw this guy the previous visit.  Don’t recall what else I saw that day, but I have photos of a coyote from then.  I often see things, but don’t get a chance to photograph the animal so what I’ve photographed isn’t a good record of what I saw on any given day.  When I started going out to Point Reyes somewhat regularly beginning last summer I didn’t see as many bobcats or coyotes as I’m seeing now.  I don’t know if it’s luck lately or that I’m getting better at spotting them.  Probably both, but with emphasis on the luck side of the equation.

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Northern Harrier, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A northern harrier sits on a fence ost.
Northern Harrier, Point Reyes National Seashore

A female or, possibly juvenile, harrier stands on a fence post.  Harriers (AKA marsh hawks) seem to live close to ground level.  When I see them they are flying just above the ground or they are perched on something low, like a post, or standing on the ground.  They even nest on the ground.  Note the owl-like facial disc.  Like owls, they use hearing as well as sight to help in locating  prey.  Another trait they share with owls is soft feathers which makes them quieter in flight.