May 13 - Port Reyes Lighthouse

It's clearing so it's time to head to the lighthouse (and the leaning trees which I pass to get to the lighthouse faster). I'm sure it's less crowded than yesterday but I'm still hoping to find parking.

The drive is much nicer than yesterday as I can see things like ocean that I couldn't see yesterday.

I make a stop on the way to the Lighthouse in a small pull-off with a viewpoint. It's called seal beach but there are no seals down there. But the views are incredible!

Upward to the parking lot I go. And yes, there's parking!!

And yea! Another uphill to the actual lighthouse; at least it's paved this time! (I've already walked at least 9.7 miles today, why not?!)

The views are great with long stretches of beach to the north.

I find my leaning tree!!

I reach the top. There's a small Visitor's Center and the old water cistern built to supply the folks that manned the lighthouse with water.

There's a skeleton of a whale that in front of Point Reyes Conglomerate; pebble, cobbles, and boulders that geologist estimate to be over 50 million years old.

Around corner, 

there's the lighthouse 313 steps below. Ugh! Any other day but I've climbed too many uphills today. The view is awesome.

I find some new succulent plants.

There are Common Murre down there.

A flock of Pelicans fly overhead.

No whale spots despite Gray Whale northern migration in progress.

Time to head downhill to my car. 

By the Visitor's Center, I see a Peregrine Falcon.



Oh, can't forget the flowers.



On the drive back, at some point a coyote run out in front of car east to west. I slam on my breaks almost hitting him. He keeps moving but looks back at me.

There's no one in back of me so it's picture time. Wee!

I move ahead just a bit and wow! there's another coyote to the west but heading south. Way cool!!



Then I make a quick stop at North Beach to empty sand from my shoes socks.

See a hawk but scare it.

Then to the cool tress in front of historic KPH radio -- no one is there!

Incredibly awesome day!

Back at the motel, the egret came and visited in the evening. As did some gophers.

And I was so looking forward to being sung to sleep by the frogs but they were very sporadic and now where near a full chorus like yesterday. Not sure why but I did miss them.

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