Documenting the places where people and wildlife meet.

Follow Me on iNaturalist! • February 5th, 2026

The industrial hum of the harbor finally shifted this week. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finished the current dredging cycle. It's been a significant operation to watch, but with the equipment now clearing out, the harbor's transitioning back to its natural pace.

February officially ushered in the peak of whale watching season here in the Channel Islands. The harbor's buzzing with energy as boats head out to track the Gray Whale migration. I'm going out soon and I plan to report back. ☺️

I’ve had two harbor seal sightings over the past week, which is exciting. These Observation Card updates will be short and sweet. I've uploaded a new gallery of cards from this week’s fieldwork. You can click through each species card in the gallery below to see the full iNaturalist observation page.

Species List: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina ssp. richardii), Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps).

Discover more by joining the iNaturalist community and following my profile. On iNaturalist, you can view my ongoing log of wildlife sightings, connect with other nature enthusiasts, and contribute your own observations. Each profile is a window into the diversity of our world, and by following along, you’ll help grow a network of people who care about documenting and protecting wild places.

Founder’s Journal is where I record the creative process and personal milestones as I grow Salt + Noelle. If you’re looking for immersive photo essays and in-depth stories, you’ll find those on the main blog. Founder’s Journal is for readers who enjoy real-time updates, small discoveries, and the ongoing journey behind the work.

Every observation shared here follows the Salt + Noelle Admire from Afar methodology. Respect for wildlife and responsible storytelling are at the heart of everything I do. If you’d like to learn more about these guiding principles, you can explore our full ethics statement.

Most conservation data stays hidden in spreadsheets or internal logs. I built this iNaturalist Observation Card system to prove that scientific documentation can (and should) be beautiful. This work is a sample of my Signature Storytelling framework. I help mission-driven brands and research teams translate their technical field operations into high-fidelity visual narratives that build authority and drive engagement.

Ready to elevate your mission's message?

Explore my Partner With Us page to view my service menu, investment rates, and offerings.
Inquire about a 2026 Fractional Partnership: I am currently open to fractional partnerships with mission-driven organizations.