Whiskers in the Wild: From Surf to Siesta - A Day in the Life of Silver Strand’s Sea Lions
Join us for wildlife stories, field notes, and plenty of coastal surprises - from sea lions at the marina to hidden tide pools and a shop full of nature-inspired art.
Channel Islands Harbor & Silver Strand Beach, Oxnard, California // October 8th, 2025
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Locations
📍 Channel View Park — 29 Ocean Dr, Oxnard, CA 93035
Small park at the harbor entrance, just steps from Hollywood Beach. Sea lions often gather on the rocks and in the water - listen for their signature “arf”! No restrooms at the park, but facilities are available elsewhere in the harbor. Limited street and lot parking.
📍 Kiddie Beach Park — 2721 Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035
Calm, protected cove inside Channel Islands Harbor. Great for families and swimming. Lifeguard on duty in summer. Showers, restrooms, and free parking on-site. Check water advisories after storms. Recently a major sea lion haul-out - maintain a safe distance and follow posted restrictions.
📍 Hobie Beach — 2974-3098 Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035
Designated launch site for kayaks, SUPs, and small sailboats. Calm harbor water, easy marina access. Free parking in adjacent lot. Restrooms & showers nearby at Kiddie Beach.
📍 Silver Strand Beach — 2525 Ocean Dr, Oxnard, CA 93035
Stretch of beach near harbor mouth, featuring rocky jetty haul-outs popular with sea lions. Parking and restrooms available at nearby beach access points.
Family, Fieldwork, and Conservation in Action
After a rare pause last week to spend time with family, I was eager to get back behind the lens and reconnect with the places (and faces) that inspire Salt + Noelle’s work. Sometimes, timing is everything. As I arrived at Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard to gather new content for Whiskers in the Wild, I was greeted not just by the familiar chorus of sea lion “arfs,” but by the presence of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) team - already on the scene for a sea lion rescue.
Introducing “Admire from Afar” A New Philosophy for Ethical Wildlife Storytelling
If you’re new here, or haven’t visited my About page recently, you might notice a new badge and philosophy appearing across my work: Admire from Afar.
This isn’t just a tagline - it’s a formal commitment to the ethics that guide Salt + Noelle’s fieldwork and storytelling.
Here’s what it means in practice:
I photograph with telephoto lenses, capturing close detail while keeping a respectful physical distance. This ensures wildlife remains undisturbed and unaware of my presence.
No baiting or staging. I never bait, call, or manipulate wildlife for a shot. If an animal appears to look toward the lens, it’s always from distance and concealment, never disturbance.
Share with care. Locations are shared to inspire connection, but always with an emphasis on thoughtful, low-impact experiences that keep wild places wild.
Conservation first. Every story and image is rooted in a commitment to safeguarding nature. I practice leave no trace and ensure my presence doesn’t disrupt the places or species I encounter.
Genuine storytelling. My stories reflect real experiences, and my images capture moments as they truly appeared - honoring the colors and textures seen by the human eye.
Mindfully present. Observation comes with responsibility. I report any sick, injured, or stranded animals to the proper authorities, and encourage my audience to do the same.
You’ll see the “Admire from Afar” badge on content going forward - a visible reminder that the best way to love wildlife is to let them be wild.
To watch in 4K, first press play. Then click the gear icon in the player and select the highest quality option.
Documenting Rescue: Transparency, Education, and Respect
On this particular morning, the CIMWI team arrived literally seconds before I did and immediately began a sea lion rescue. I want to be transparent: the gallery below includes a sequence of images showing the CIMWI team in action - approaching, netting, and safely crating the sea lion for transport. These are not graphic photos, but they do depict the reality of a rescue.
While I rarely share images of sick or injured animals, sometimes responsible documentation serves a greater purpose: transparency, education, and advocacy for professional intervention. My intent with this gallery is to respectfully document the process, highlight the professionalism and care of the CIMWI team, and illustrate what ethical intervention looks like. Each image was taken at a distance, in line with my “Admire from Afar” philosophy.
Why Responsible Rescue Documentation Matters
It can be difficult to witness an animal being captured, even when it’s for its own good. But it’s vital to remember: this process is about giving the sea lion a second chance at life. Thanks to CIMWI, this individual is now receiving the best possible care including rest, medical attention, and, hopefully, a path to rehabilitation and release back into the wild.
Watching the CIMWI team work so quickly and carefully was a real-life reminder of the good that happens when we take action. I’ve even put in a note to volunteer with CIMWI myself, and I’ll be watching their socials to see if this sea lion makes an appearance as a patient.
If you ever see a marine mammal in distress, please contact organizations like CIMWI rather than intervening yourself. Your call could be the difference between suffering and a second chance.
Joyful Moments: Sea Lions at Play
With the rescue complete, I spent time observing the colony - sea lions playing in the surf, snoozing in the sun, and engaging in their signature squabbles. These are the moments I love to share: unposed and full of personality.
Because my mic still hasn’t arrived, the video from this day is all about authenticity - wind, waves, “arfs,” and all. It’s not studio-perfect, but it’s real, and I hope it transports you right to the shoreline with me. You can watch the full video in-line above, and I encourage you to listen for the little moments that make the Channel Islands coast so special.
Island Plans: Next Stop - Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
A quick update for those following my fieldwork calendar: my much-anticipated San Miguel Island trip has been rescheduled (hopefully later this October) due to adverse weather. Safety always comes first, especially on remote expeditions. But the Channel Islands always have something special to offer - so instead, I’ll be spending this weekend at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.
This visit will be all about soaking up the atmosphere around the historic ranch area and anchorage, You can expect stories and images of the charismatic island foxes (hoping for plenty of sightings!), the rustic charm of the old ranch buildings, and some underwater surprises. That’s just the start: when I return, I’ll also have updates from two recent Morro Bay trips around Sea Otter Awareness Week - and a stop at the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, where the giants of the coast gather in dramatic fashion.
There’s a lot of new Whiskers in the Wild content, photo essays, and field notes coming your way - showcasing everything from playful foxes to massive elephant seals and the everyday magic of the coast. And keep an eye out for a few special guests in this series - a black-crowned night heron and black oystercatchers featured in the photo gallery, and a snowy egret making a cameo in the video.
Stay tuned for all the new adventures, and as always, thank you for admiring from afar right along with me.
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