Last week we had a glorious day at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore. First week of summer and all was well.
The air at home, 1.5 hours away, had been choked with smoke for days from a nearby wildfire. Yet here on the coast, the air was incredibly fresh. Deep intakes of fresh air, wow, there’s nothing like it.
The 1.5-mile hike to the lagoon was summer all over.
More male quail than usual were stationed on many fence posts and atop bushes, demonstrating their nerve-racking chick season had arrived.
A song sparrow perched in tall, gangly poison hemlock belted out his summer song.
It was early and cool and not many hikers had arrived yet, so the brush rabbits were sleepy and relaxed, resting flat on the warm dirt.
Chaparral and wildflowers had begun their summer show.
The wild grass had grown waist-high in places, narrowing the trail.
When we came to Abbotts Lagoon we were greeted by one of the cutest scenes. Usually this section is placid with a statuesque egret or great blue heron quietly hunting.
But on this day three North American river otters, Lontra canadensis, were vigorously swimming in the reeds.
On closer examination, it turned out to be a mother and her two young ones. She was teaching them to hunt.
The mother otter was brown with fur as smooth as skin. Her two pups were small and black, had a different texture with their youthful fur.
In the photo below, Mom is in the center.
They probably have a den nearby. These two pups will go off on their own in 6-12 months. For now, they have a lot to learn.
She often signaled them to stay near shore while she dove down for food. They anxiously waited.
We found a great blue heron watching and then we noticed a great egret watching, too. They were especially attentive, nervous even, to have the three otters swimming in their lagoon.
Around here adult river otters are known to take down large birds, even pelicans, so the heron and egret were smart to be wary.
Here you can see the mother otter has startled the great egret.
While Mom was confident and skilled in her movements, the little ones were tentative, sometimes cowering.
The youth were panting and splashing; Mom was silent and graceful in her practiced breathing and diving.
After about 15 minutes of admiring, we moved on. We hiked over the walking bridge, around the lagoon and across an additional mile of sand for the Pacific shoreline.
Two months ago this stretch of sand was wet and firm. But on this day the sand was dry and loose, more challenging to hike. Long strides, impossible.
We reached the beach, one of my favorite Point Reyes beaches for its blue and green water.
A few Caspian terns, gulls and brown pelicans entertained us.
The beach was in its summer mode. A large section was cordoned off for the nesting snowy plovers, and the bush lupine was in full flower.
We lingered at the beach for a time and became accustomed to the buffeting wind, happy to be alive, and then it was time to return.
On our return hike, we stopped to check on the otters, but they were long gone…no surprise. The egret and heron were still on the lookout.
We were soon delighted when the heartwarming songs of two birds danced our way. We never saw the birds, just heard them.
One was the bouncing-ball call of wrentits: click here for wrentit sound. Chamaea fasciata.
The second thrilling birdsong was the blissful fluty melody of the Swainson’s thrush, a breeding male. This is a bird in the robin family. There are several sub-species and each has a slightly different sound.
This recording below is what we hear at Point Reyes. It stops me in my tracks, heartwarmingly sweet.
Click here Swainson’s Thrush song Catharus ustulatus ustulatus.
I now know three places at Point Reyes where I sometimes hear the Swainson’s thrushes. Only in summer. We will check in at those three spots throughout the season, a future treasure.
I could listen to that sweet song for hours…but the day was getting hot and we still had miles to go.
By the time we reached the car, the parking lot had filled up, temperatures were rising, and we were ready for refreshment. Scones warming on the dashboard and a thermos of tea awaited.
Summertime…when the living is easy….
Written by Jet Eliot.
Photos by Athena Alexander.
Jet Eliot 
It looks and sounds like it was a perfect day at the Lagoon, Jet. The River Otter Pups are adorable!
Thanks Deborah. Those pups were the highlight of the day. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Hi Jet, I was transported to this gem of a hike in Pt. Reyes thanks to your enticing narrative and Athena’s photos. It was a treasure hunt in nature and I loved what you found at every turn. The songbird singing, the rabbit splayed out resting, the family of otters – the feel of this place came rushing back. And I learned that otters hunted birds! I hope you enjoyed your scones and tea after such a marvelous time. 🙂
Yes, we enjoyed the scones and tea immensely, then drove on to more delights. Thanks so much, Jane, I am smiling big and really appreciated your kind words and attentive reading.
What a beautiful tour and setting for a nature stroll. The variety of birds and animals is amazing and how fun to watch the otters. Thanks Jet and Athena.
Yes, the variety of life here is a joy, and I’m glad I could share it with you, Brad. Thanks very much.
You’re welcome.
I love the otters, they are so cute! Lovely photos, Athena, thanks for sharing! ❤️😊
Thanks very much, John. Always nice to see you.
Have a great weekend. 😊
What a beautiful day you had, Jet! So many wonderful things to see, and those young otters are SO adorable.
Yes, so very adorable, those young otter pups. It is a pleasure to share this sweet summer day with you, Anneli, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Sorry about the smoke… I guess it just come with living in California but at least most of us can get away to the ocean. Love those little otters…..
Yes, there was a fire in Healdsburg raising our hackles and diminishing our air. But fortunately it is almost completely under control now. And you’re right, Jan, the coast is a great escape. My warm thanks.
Awesome photos of your summer day at the beach. I especially like the otter photos.
I’m glad you enjoyed the beach day post and the otter photos, Hien. I always enjoy seeing your U.S. east coast, too. Cheers.
Great photos, but the otters are my favorite. They are always playing!
I think that’s what we humans like about otters, GP, just what you said: they are always playing! Lovely to see you, thank you.
What a wonderful post. I was with you all the way experiencing the amazing wildlife……and those baby otters are heavenly..:) Thank you both for your wonderful work. Janet X
What a pleasure it is to vicariously bring you along on the hike, Janet. Thanks so much for joining us. xx
What a treat to see river otters! The babies are esp. cute. Lovely photos of a beautiful day and a beautiful walk, thanks for sharing it.
It was great fun to share this sweet summer day, Eliza. The otter pups were indeed a real treat. And we were up on the cliff looking down, so it was a great perch for us to watch and photograph the pups, something that rarely happens with otters. My warmest thanks.
Oh, these otter photos and the story are so precious!! And that one with the egret—quite the shot. What a great place to spend the summer.
What an amazing hike! The otters are gorgeous. 🌈🧡
Love those otters!
Thanks Platypus Man, I’m glad you loved the otters too. So adorable!
What a wonderful place and thanks for sharing this walk and taking us there. It’s a beautiful and wonderful place with so much life. It’s so great that nature thrives and we can observe.
Thank you, Bill. Each time we go to Abbotts Lagoon, we think of the time when you and N hiked it with us. Sweet memories. And you’re right, it is so great, we are lucky to have the opportunity to watch all of nature in this beautiful, peaceful place. Many thanks and love.
What a wonderful day out. We don’t see otters often here, so I might have sat there all morning watching them. I like the recordings, too.
Yes, it was so engaging to watch the little otter pups as they learned and Mom taught. I’m glad you had a chance to listen to the recordings, Craig. It’s possible you might have Swainson’s thrushes where you live in the summer, the range map indicates it. Wrentits, not so, for they only live near the west coast. Keep your ears open for the Swainson’s thrush, it’s even more heavenly than on the recording. Cheers and thanks.
Old Swainson must have been busy. We have his hawk here.
Pretty much a perfect summer hike – clean air, colourful flowers, and an array of bird and mammal sightings! Those otters…
A wonderful post, Jet, your words and Athena’s pictures, what a scene. Glad you enjoyed time on the beach (and yup, what a workout walking on dry sand can be) and then tea and scones at the end of a hike – summertime living!
It is so very lovely to receive your comment, pc. I enjoyed your attentive read and warm words. I’m sure you have had lots of experience hiking on dry sand, so I’m glad you concur. Have a wonderful summer weekend, my friend.
What a blessing to see baby otters in what I am guessing is one of your favorite places to visit.
Yes, you’re right on, LuAnne. Truly a blessing to see the pups in yes, one of our favorite places. I always enjoy your comments, thanks so very much.
Sorry to hear about the smoke. What joy to get away from it. With baby otters to top it off.
Wishing you no smoke for the rest of the summer and great hikes and discoveries.
We’re getting to watch a family with baby swallows from our living room window. Parents are currently busy with food deliveries and diaper disposal. 😉
I’m glad you enjoyed the baby otters, Gunta. And how perfectly lovely to hear from you. I find nesting swallows so engaging to watch, their swooping and circling and then the little heads that begin to poke out, too. How wonderful to have a front row view from your living room. Cheers, my friends, and thanks so much for taking the time to come by today.
What a lovely day! Thanks for the writing and great photos.
Thanks for joining us on the hike, Val. Always lovely to “see” you.
You found treasures. Thanks for sharing them.
Yes, we did find treasures, and it’s fun sharing them with you. Thanks so much, Sherry.
This sounds like a hike to cherish, enjoy taking it with you through your description and beautiful images.