The Simpson Reef Overlook is located in Cape Arago State Park. The reef is named after Louis J. Simpson whose estate once included both Cape Arago State Park and Sea Shore State Park. The rock formations are a part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Oregon Islands Wilderness.
The Simpson Reef Overlook is one of the few places on the Oregon coast where people can see thousands marine mammals.
According the signage, these marine mammals include:
Northern Elephant Seals: this is the largest member of the seal family.
Harbor Seals: this is the smallest seal at Cape Arago and a year-round resident on the Oregon coast.
Steller Sea Lions: this is the largest member of the sea lion family.
Gray Whales: these whales migrate past Cape Arago from March to June as they travel north to Alaskan waters and again from December to February as they head south for the Baja.
California Sea Lions: easily identified by their barking sounds, these are the most well known sea lions. Male California sea lions arrive at Cape Arago in early August.
Public Lands
Public lands in the United States range from small city parks to large wilderness areas. Public lands are always under threat from conservative Republicans who seem to feel that such lands should be given to the private sector. More photo diaries from this series:
Public Lands: The Green House at Shore Acres State Park (Photo Diary)
Public Lands: Flowers in Shore Acres State Park (Photo Diary)
Public Lands: Cape Arago State Park (Photo Diary)
Public Lands: The Columbia Riverfront Trail (Photo Diary)
Public Lands: A Small Urban Park (Photo Diary)
Yellowstone Park: West Thumb Geyser Basin (Photo Diary)
Yellowstone Park: Firehole Lake Drive (Photo Diary)
Public Lands: The Arboretum of Los Angeles (Photo Diary)