San Francisco birder and "gull guy" Josiah Clark talk about how to check out the various kinds of gulls who descend on the bay during herring runs. Really cool information.

Audubon California's Anna Weinstein visits the first big herring run of the season in San Francisco Bay, and talks about its importance to birds and other wildlife.

This individual was the first recorded in San Francisco in recent history and was found by birders who alerted me to its presence in the winter of 2013. Populations of this adaptable species have increased in the region and this was probably a dispersing young male that braved the ocean in search of new territory. It did well for itself at the Sutro Baths, catching crayfish and crabs and using the the jumbled rocks along the shoreline to hide away for long periods. This otter stayed for at least 6 months but eventually disappeared, likely it left in search of a mate and hopefully it found one. Its fun to think they might colonize SF parks, lakes and shoreline in time. https://www.facebook.com/JosiahClarkNaturalist

Taking part in the abundant yet ephemeral herring run along the bayshore during the winter of 2013 after being told by local herring master Kirk Lombard. Here I am using a 6' cast net, which is good size to start with. Herring are great pickled and BBQ'd. They are also prized bait among my fishing friends. I often refer to it as the base of the fishermen's food chain. Smaller ones are best for salmon and halibut while bigger ones can help select for the bigger Lingcod and bottomfish. They are also great for crab. In the garden I use a digging bar to punch deep holes, then drop in a fish deep (to prevent pest) to the base of each plant and cave in the hole. They are great fertilizer! Herring are an amazing gift from the bay that appear to remain as resilient as they are abundant. Read more in Bay Nature: http://baynature.org/articles/san-francisco-bay-herring-running-at-mission-bay/ https://www.facebook.com/JosiahClarkNaturalist

A sea otter hangs out in the bullwhip kelp between feedings. This one seems to have a very red nose and may have some sort of skin irritation. The entire population of this species came from a tiny relict population rediscovered near Carmel after it was thought extinct due to over hunting. Sea Otters are the smallest marine mammal, a member of the weasel family and are a commonly used textbook example of a true "keystone species". https://www.facebook.com/JosiahClarkNaturalist

Sept 2012 - Solo launch at 4am to the squid spawning grounds at Half Moon Bay. Out with the gorging birds at daybreak. Caught this 30+lb beast about 9:30am at the top of the tide. 30+ minute battle, was not well hooked. Prepared and eaten with great care, absolutely excellent. Close encounter with a surfacing Minke Whale that day and a few Buller's among thousands of Sooty Shearwaters. https://www.facebook.com/JosiahClarkNaturalist