NOAA's Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
991 Marine Dr 94129 San Francisco, CA, US

The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center at Crissy Field is Closed. For the health and safety of our guests, volunteers, and employees, and as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Visitor Center WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. We will continue to reassess the situation. We understand this closure is an inconvenience for visitors, and we apologize. Our top priority is the health of our guests who come to learn about the National Marine Sanctuary System, as well as the staff and volunteers who support our visitor centers.

Scenic Saturday! What is your favorite scenic sanctuary spot to enjoy? Do you know where this beautiful photo was taken? Today is World Whale Day and this just happens to be a great location to spot gray whales as they migrate along our coast!... (Photo Credit: Sara Heintzelman, NOAA, GFNMS. Image description: people walking on a coastal path with a rocky shore and bright blue ocean.)

Have you ever heard of a basket star? Get to know this creature that scientists found near @NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary!

Create a caption! What might this monk seal and green sea turtle be thinking? (Photo Credit: Mark Sullivan, NOAA. Image description: a monk seal resting its head on a green sea turtle’s head on a sandy beach.)

Farallones Field Notes: One of the joys of searching the tidepools is spotting the glorious colors found within nature. The ochre star (Pisaster ochraceus) not only adds color, but is a keystone species and is considered an important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone. The ochre star can be orange, brown, or purple; these variations are known as color polymorphism. While we don’t have a definitive cause for the different color variations, it is generally attributed to diet and ecological factors. (Photo Credit: Margaret Farley, Farallones Volunteer Naturalist. Image Description: various photos of ochre stars showing the color variations and the distinct white dots along their bodies.)

Tuesday Trivia Time! How much does the heart of a blue whale weigh? (Photo Credit: NOAA. Image description: aerial view of two blue whales, one is just below the surface of the water and the other has its back visible and is spouting.)

Happy Marine Life Monday! Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are a common sight (and sound) as they migrate north and south each year, but more and more are staying put in one location year-round. They are especially abundant wherever there are large lawns, which offer them both a source of food and a clear view of any approaching predators. There are at least 11 subspecies of the Canada goose; the subspecies can be hard to tell apart but in general they are smaller in the nort...h and darker in color toward the west. This week the Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place, did you participate? What was the most interesting bird you spotted? Did you spot any Canada geese during your count? (Photo Credit: Jacob Frank, NPS. Image description: large bird with brown/grey feathers, a black head, and white chin-strap standing on a bit of log in water with reflections of the bird and trees in the foreground.)