Blog & Photo Essays
Photo essays and field notes from the California coast and the parks and wetlands I travel to.
Pick a print off the table to open its story, or drag the pile around and see what turns up.
Drag the prints around the table. Tap one to pull it to the top, and tap it again to open the story.
Every Story, Newest First
Whiskers in the Wild
The sea lions at Channel Islands Harbor get their own running field notes, with individual IDs where I can make them and seasonal patterns tracked over time.
Read the field notes
Sea Otter Awareness Week 2026: Where to See Sea Otters and How to Give Them Space
This year's Sea Otter Awareness Week runs September 20 to 26, and this post has the full lineup of events and viewing stations, from California to Oregon. It closes with my favorite images from the collection I donated to the week's organizers.
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.
Sea Lion Nursing Behavior: Pups, Mothers, and Colony Life at Channel Islands Harbor
A day with the Sea Lion colony at Channel Islands Harbor. Featuring nursing pups, surf play, and a long-overdue life update.
Sea Lion & Oiled Bird Rescue: A Vision for Channel Islands Harbor
Twice this month, the role of observer was set aside for a more active role in stewardship. From assisting an oiled grebe to witnessing the immense pressure on our local rescue teams, this update explores how we can better support our coastal neighbors by bridging the "triage gap" at Channel Islands Harbor.
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.
Whiskers in the Wild: Surfing Sea Lions, Human Disturbance, and Harbor Dredging
Sea lions, dredging and human behavior all collide at Channel Islands Harbor. In this Whiskers in the Wild update, I share 4K surfing sea lion footage from Silver Strand, a new photo gallery, two entanglement reports and field notes on how wildlife is adapting to a noisy, working harbor.
A Windy Day in Morro Bay: Sea Otters, Storms & Local Life
Join me on an unforgettable day in Morro Bay, where calm mornings watching sea otters gave way to fierce winds and crashing waves. Explore the local flavors, shops, and wild coastal moments that make this Central Coast town so special.
Pup Watch: A Photo Tour on Elkhorn Slough Safari
Experience sunrise on Elkhorn Slough with a photo tour packed with sea otter pups, harbor seals, and nesting birds. This essay captures the excitement of early wildlife sightings, behind-the-scenes moments, and the joy of documenting California’s coastal life.