PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Shines On

Although the has been removed from the Lens Room atop the Pigeon Point Light Station, the tower remains a working lighthouse.

This 680,000 candlepower rotating aero beacon sends a beam of light every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day that can be seen up to 24 miles at sea. The lenses in this beacon use the same physics in the system that Augustin Fresnel developed in in 1822.

The original Fresnel lens is on display in the Fog Signal building and provides a great opportunity to view this optical wonder up close.

And April is a great time to view grey whales from Pigeon Point's observation deck behind the lighthouse as mothers and juveniles migrate north, staying close to shore for protection.

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