Every year I look forward to the Columbia or Tiger Lilly season. I love their bright orange color and right now they are in full bloom on the Northern California Coast. Fortunately for me I can see them on local trails right here in Trinidad, California. This morning my neighbor and I walked the trail out to Elk Head purposely to see what was in bloom. As I readied myself to leave the house, I had to let my dog Baxter know he wasn’t joining us. It is absolutely heart breaking to see him drop his head, tuck his tail and walk away disappointed. He is such an enthusiastic walking buddy.

The Tiger Lilly did not disappoint and to sweeten the deal, a large number of harbor seals were hauled out on the intertidal rocks AND an adult Bald Eagle sat parked in a tree above the cove at the trails end. We had binoculars with us but once again, I wished I had brought a telephoto lens. I took a few cell phone pics but…..if you zoom into my three cove pics featured below, look at the trees directly above and to the right of the green algae on the cove wall to spot the eagle. A flock of nine Turkey vultures circled the nearby sky, so something unbeknownst to us was going on.

If your in the area, this is an easy, short 1.5 mile RT hike if you start from the College Cove (CC) parking lot that’s accessed from Stage Coach Road. This site has spectacular ocean views from the trail and from Elk Head at trails end. For a longer and more aerobic 4.5 mile RT hike, you can pick up the trail by the HSU Marine Lab which includes a beautiful walk thru a forested environment before joining the flat trail that starts at the CC parking lot. If your in decent shape there is also a steep trail that takes you down onto College Cove Beach. It’s a breath taking site that also has a view of Trinidad State Beach, Pewetole Island and Trinidad Head.

Enjoy my pics! #iluvtowalk #elkhead #trinidadcalifornia #humboldt #humboldtcounty #oceanview #beaches #nativeplants #baldeagles

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