Inverness in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Common Murres

Point Reyes National Seashore

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2009

1. Common Murres Marker

Photo captions:
Upper photo:
These crow-sized birds seek protection in numbers. In the early 1900’s egg hunters nearly wiped them out. Today within the National Seashore they are protected by law.
Center photo:
Murres almost completely cover a favorite ledge. Periodically they go hurtling over the edge to fish or swim in the ocean where they are quite at home.
Lower photo:
Eggs are laid singly on bare rock. A mother can find her egg amid the confusion of the colony by its color and unique markings. Eggs are designed to roll in a small circle - not over the edge.

Inscription. On the rocks and ledges just below here you can often spot common murres. For a good view from this height, binoculars are helpful. If conditions are right you may hear the colony “moaning” as they huddle penguin-like on the rocks.

Murres are rapid fliers and skillful divers. They pursue fish underwater by stroking with their wings and steering with their feet. On land they are not so deft. An ornithologist, noting their clumsy landings on the precarious ledges, has named them the “awkward squad.”

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.

Location. 37° 59.778′ N, 123° 1.248′ W. Marker is in Inverness, California, in Marin County. Marker can be reached from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Marker is located near the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center at the Point Reyes National Seashore. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Inverness CA 94937, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Point Reyes Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Reyes Light Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Reyes Conglomerate (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The Rock Plants (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Victims of the Coast (approx. 2.3 miles away); Lives of Sacrifice and Service are Honored Here (approx. 2.3 miles away); Whalewatching (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sea Life in These Waters (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.

Common Murres on the Rocks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2009

2. Common Murres on the Rocks

Click on photo to enlarge and see a large colony of Common Murres.

The Coastline Below the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2009

3. The Coastline Below the Marker

A View of the Coastline From Near the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2009

4. A View of the Coastline From Near the Marker

Flowers in Bloom in the Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2009

5. Flowers in Bloom in the Area

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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