Richardson Bay for kids
Richardson Bay and the Seals. The true story of Richardson Bay, near Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA, told for kids.
Read along
Look out at the water on this side! This is Richardson Bay. It's named after a sailor from England, William Richardson, who sailed here more than two hundred years ago and stayed. He became the captain of the whole bay, helping ships find their way, and he had a big ranch on these hills.
Now, play detective with me. Look for tall white birds, standing very still in the water on long skinny legs. Those are egrets and herons, and they're fishing! And sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll see harbor seals in the water, with their round heads and big dark eyes, looking right back at you.
This bay is a special safe home for birds and seals. Can you spot one?
Quiz the back seat
What are the tall white birds standing in the water?
Show the answer
Egrets. Egrets! They stand super still, then zap, they catch a fish.
Fun facts
- Named for William A. Richardson, who arrived in 1822.
- Richardson Bay is a protected home for harbor seals and birds.
For grown-ups
Every Tumbly story is checked claim by claim against the sources below before it's published; stories that don't pass stay off the app and this site. Narration is pre-recorded, and nothing you do on this page is tied to your kids.
Sources
- rbra.ca.gov/why-richardson-bay
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson_Bay
- facebook.com/groups/181611878645487/posts/2263108273829160
- library.sonoma.edu/research/research-guides/regional-research/notable-north-bay-people/william-richardson-1795-1856
- sausalitohistoricalsociety.com/2015-columns/2015/11/1/a-contemporary-recalls-william-richardson
- home.nps.gov/places/000/william-richardson-hopeless-romantic-or-land-grabber.htm
- goldengatebirdalliance.org/blog-posts/houseboat-birding-in-sausalito
- seatrek.com/harbor-seal-pupping-sausalito
Nearby stories
The Sleeping Lady Mountain
Look up! That big mountain is Mount Tamalpais.
The Shipwreck in the Fog
Down this road is a valley that ends at a tiny beach. And this valley is named after a ship!
The Ship Factory and the Giant Puddle
Right around here in Sausalito, something amazing happened a long time ago. During a big war, about eighty years ago, the country needed…
The Crookedest Railroad in the World
Choo choo! Right here in downtown Mill Valley, where the bookstore and café are, there used to be a train station!All stories in Marin County → · All places
Town and county names: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).