Blog

Documenting the places where people and wildlife meet.

From my studio at Channel Islands Harbor, I document the places where people and wildlife meet through field notes, photo essays, and lifestyle stories. Whether you’re here for ethical travel ideas or deep-dives into local ecosystems, these are the stories I’m proud to tell from the tide's edge.

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Alexis Noelle walks the boardwalk at the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery wearing a Salt + Noelle Admire from Afar jacket.

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Alexis Noelle 7/13/26 Alexis Noelle 7/13/26

Peeling Season at Piedras Blancas: The Elephant Seal Molt

Old fur lifts off in patches, curling at the edges like dried Elmer's glue. Every May the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas shed their coats and the top layer of their skin, and it is nowhere near as dire as it looks.

Alexis Noelle 12/9/25 Alexis Noelle 12/9/25

Golden Hour at the Rookery: Elephant Seal Sparring & Sunset Light

Join me for a golden hour detour to Piedras Blancas, where the juvenile elephant seals are sparring in the surf. This photo essay covers the quiet chaos of the fall haul-out, unique thermoregulation behaviors like "sand sunscreen," and a first look at our new Admire from Afar branding.

Alexis Noelle 12/4/24 Alexis Noelle 12/4/24

Morro Bay Adventure: Sea Otters, Elephant Seals & Monarch Butterflies Along California’s Coast

A coastal adventure from Morro Bay to Pismo Beach brings close encounters with sea otters, elephant seals, and monarch butterflies. This photo essay highlights the best spots for wildlife viewing and the magic of California’s central coast.