Point Reyes is described as the windiest place on the Pacific Coast and the second foggiest place in North America. The area known as the Point Reyes Headlands juts 10 miles out to sea posing danger for ships coming into San Francisco.
The historic lighthouse functioned from 1870 to 1975, warning approaching ships, until it was retired and replaced with automated lights.
Needless to say, the walk to the lighthouse is spectacular.
After our visit with the
elephant seals, we walked back to the parking area and spread a blanket on the grass to eat the lunches we had packed.
This fence row near the parking area happens to be the favorite perch for a beautiful White-tailed Kite! The kite's primary food source is voles which suffered a decline due to heavy grazing, and subsequently, kites declined. California bought some of the former pastures to allow native grasses to grow, and the voles population increased and the kites are recovering.
While we ate, the kite hunted near us, circling the field, hovering above, and extending his legs and feet downward. Cornell says kites hover as much as 80 feet above the ground and maintain their position without flapping by facing into the wind. The leg hanging helps them to hold their position while hovering.
Visit
Conrad Tan's beautiful images of the White-tailed Kite and watch a nuptial food exchange in flight.
Exciting bird!
Point Reyes National Seashore
Stinson Beach, California
Cornell--
White-tailed Kite
History of the Point Reyes Lighthouse
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