Discover real, unscripted moments with the sea lion colony at Channel Islands Harbor. Honest wildlife stories, local tips, and advocacy from Salt + Noelle.

Curious about the Carpinteria Seal Rookery? This field note covers what it’s really like to visit - from seal counts to trail access, parking options, and the work of local conservation groups. Includes practical tips for watching seals from the bluffs, plus what you need to know about closures and ethical wildlife viewing.

Kicking off a new series, “On the Rocks,” with a close-up look at the lined shore crabs and their neighbors living on the rocky edges of Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard. From balcony field notes to surprising discoveries in every photo - there’s a whole world happening just beneath your feet.

After a long-awaited move to Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, I’ve been greeted by sea lions, herons, pelicans, and more - without even leaving my patio. Here’s a look at new beginnings, harbor life, and a gallery of wildlife just outside my window.

A December morning at Pismo Monarch Butterfly Grove - wandering quiet paths beneath golden eucalyptus, searching for clusters of monarchs high in the canopy. Fewer butterflies than expected, but still a reminder of how much these groves matter. Field notes, practical tips, and a little hope for more monarchs next winter.

Bird Rock in Monterey comes alive with California sea lions, nesting cormorants, western gulls, and a pair of sea otters offshore. This Wildlife Wednesday captures the real-time coexistence of coastal wildlife through field notes and unfiltered photography.

Mornings at Moss Landing mean waking up to the chaos and color of Brandt’s cormorant nesting season. From a boat just after sunrise, I watched dozens of cormorants fuss over nests, steal the best seaweed, and (if you caught the timing right) flash that electric blue throat patch that only appears during breeding season. Not every bird shows the blue: it’s most vivid in adult males, subtler in females, and completely absent in juveniles. This week’s Wildlife Wednesday is all about those small moments and honest details - real-time field notes from the heart of a coastal colony.

This week's Wildlife Wednesday stays local with the California sea lions of Marina del Rey. After a year of weekend visits to Burton Chace Park, I'm starting to recognize the regulars. Plus: important NOAA guidelines for keeping your distance.

After losing one too many hand-drawn maps to secret wildlife spots, I built a Notion travel system that actually works. Not my usual content, but friends kept asking for copies. Now available.

I spotted this shore crab deep in a crevice, completely covered in foam. Initially, I expected it to stay hidden. Instead, it emerged from the rocks and positioned itself in the open sunlight. When exposed during low tide, these crabs blow bubbles through their gill chambers to maintain moisture - tiny saltwater humidifiers built into their faces.

We tend to think wildlife means rare or hard to find. But sometimes the most interesting animals are the ones judging you from three feet away. This week's Wildlife Wednesday features squirrels doing what they do best: pancake impressions, judging tourists, and reminding us why sharing snacks is a terrible idea.

We followed 17 Mile Drive through Monterey’s coast - spotting sea otters, walking tidepools, and letting the road lead somewhere better than planned.

Harbor seals were everywhere - resting and watching. Pupping season at Elkhorn Slough is officially on the list for a return trip.

Massive and almost silent, this blue whale surfaced off Long Beach and left a boat full of people speechless.

Caught mid-snack with a crab claw in one paw, this Elkhorn Slough otter wasn’t in the mood to share. A crunchy little moment from the coast.

What’s at the end of Zzyzx Road? I finally took the turn to find out. From a 1940s spa scam to a surprising wildlife habitat, this Mojave detour is full of strange history, ecological importance, and a little desert magic.

What starts as a sunny afternoon on the water turns unforgettable when we spot blue and fin whales off the coast of Long Beach, California. Dramamine? Forgot it. Regrets? None. Read the full story and explore the gallery.