Bodega Marine Laboratory - UC Davis

08/19/2026

Jackie Sones, Research Coordinator for the UC Davis Bodega Marine Reserve, recently led a walk for students and staff on the reserve to explore the diversity of local seaweeds. 🌿

📸: Eric Sanford

Image description: A group gathered in a circle on a sandy beach, listening to a researcher speak while holding up a long strand of seaweed.

08/10/2026

Join us for an upcoming UC Davis College of Biological Sciences webinar, Under the Microscope: The Biology of Ocean Resilience at Bodega Marine Lab! 🌊🔬

Discover how researchers at Bodega Marine Lab are advancing our understanding of biodiversity, climate resilience, and ocean health.

When: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Speakers: Professors Jay Stachowicz and Anya Brown
Moderator: CMSI Director Andrea Alfaro

Learn more and register: https://buff.ly/rLLnMzc

Join us to learn how College of Biological Sciences researchers at Bodega Marine Lab are advancing our understanding of biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem health—and how these discoveries are informing marine conservation and responses to environmental change locally

08/07/2026

"Harbors in the harbor 🦭"

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Dion captured these adorable harbor seals lounging around Bodega Harbor! 🌊

💬 & 📸: Dion

Image descriptions: A series of three photographs featuring harbor seals resting on docks in the harbor.
Image 1: A spotted harbor seal resting on a wooden dock plank in the "banana pose" with its head and tail lifted up.
Image 2: A harbor seal resting on a wooden floating dock in the harbor near wooden piling posts and calm water reflections.
Image 3: A close-up of a spotted harbor seal lying peacefully on a wet wooden dock near boat hulls.

08/06/2026

Spotting tidepool treasures on an EVE 114 field trip! ⭐️🐚

UC Davis student Sierra Baptiste found a minute Daisy Brittle Star (Ophiopholis aculeata) tucked inside a shell while exploring Pinnacle Gulch during Summer Session 1.

📸: Sierra Baptiste

Image description: A close-up photograph of a person holding a shell that cradles a delicate Daisy Brittle Star (Ophiopholis aculeata). The brittle star’s small central disc and long, spiny, patterned arms spread outwards across the smooth interior of the shell.

08/04/2026

"Bodega Head: The best place to watch a sunset with your friends!" 🌅

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Tika Ghosh captured this stunning sunset - another fantastic photo from our BML summer contest!

Although smoke and fires have recently limited outdoor activities in the region, these student photos are a reminder of bright moments from recent weeks during Summer Session 1 at BML.

Caption 💬 and photo 📸: Tika Ghosh

Image description: A stunning landscape photograph capturing a vibrant sunset over the ocean at Bodega Head. A group of people walks along a dirt coastal path on a bluff in the foreground, silhouetted against glowing golden and pink sky reflections over crashing waves and dark coastal rocks.

07/30/2026

Looking up at the sky and down through the microscope lens 🦅🔬🌊

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Leah captured these incredible angles of life and research around Bodega Marine Laboratory!

📸: Leah

Image Description: A collection of three photographs showcasing different perspectives of marine science and coastal environment at Bodega Marine Laboratory.
Image 1: A low-angle view looking up at a flock of seabirds flying in formation against a dramatic sky with patterned, rippled clouds.
Image 2: A circular micrograph showing tiny, translucent batstar larvae viewed through a microscope in a laboratory setting.
Image 3: A scenic view of a calm tidepool inlet with fronds of kelp dangling into the water.

07/29/2026

Whale watching, wildflowers, and research finds! 🐋🌸🐌

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Dana Davis shared some favorite moments from around Bodega Head and the lab as part of our Summer Photo Contest!

📸: Dana Davis

Image Description: A collection of three photographs by Dana Davis highlighting student life and field research at Bodega Marine Laboratory. Image 1: A group of students standing together on a rocky coastal cliff at Bodega Head overlooking the ocean under a clear sky. Image 2: A close-up shot of coastal wildflowers blooming against a glowing sunset backdrop along the coastal cliffs. Image 3: A close-up view of a person holding a small, light-colored marine snail resting on a fingertip during a research project.

07/28/2026

"Experienced the full moon on a night trip to Bodega Head with a group of Summer Session students!" 🌕🪾

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Hanna Aguilar-Cathcart caught this stunning shot of the full moon seemingly suspended in a tree - an amazing entry from this year’s BML Summer Photo Contest!

💬 and 📸: Hanna Aguilar-Cathcart

Image description: A moody nighttime photograph looking up through coastal foliage. A bright, circular full moon glows intensely against a dark sky, framed and partially obscured by the dense, silhouetted branches of a tree.

07/27/2026

"Live in the moment in Bodega Bay, and you will be rewarded with the most spectacular performances by nature!"

UC Davis Summer Session 1 student Reagan Ochalek captured these scenes during 6 weeks of hands-on learning at the Bodega Marine Laboratory on the Sonoma Coast.

💬 and 📸: Reagan Ochalek

Image description: A series of four photographs capturing coastal wildlife and sunset views around Bodega Bay. Image 1: A flock of seabirds gathered together on flat, wet coastal rocks near churning ocean waves. Image 2: A sweeping panoramic sunset over the Pacific Ocean, featuring vibrant golden, orange, and deep blue clouds reflecting over the water. Image 3: A pinniped surfacing in foamy ocean water as gentle waves break around it. Image 4: A black oystercatcher perched high on a rock cliff against a clear blue sky.