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Ron Bolander was at the Gualala River lagoon recently when he spotted this River Otter. And the otter IS looking right at Ron. It would be so very interesting to know what this River Otter was thinking!

A family of River Otters makes their home at the Gualala River. It's a testament to how clean the waters are as River Otters can't tolerate pollution.

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

It's sunny, breezy and cool on the Mendonoma Coast today! Bonus sighting: Perhaps the first of the Aleutian Cackling Geese were heard and then seen flying southward yesterday. They are usually on the move ahead of stormy weather. When will we get our first autumn storm? TBD!

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Shari Goforth recently went on a pelagic trip out of Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. She got some great looks at Humpback Whales. I love this first one where the water is streaming off the big whale's tail.

There has been so much food for these whales and other marine animals - and the food of choice is anchovies. Brown Pelicans eat them too, as do Gulls and many other birds.

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We've had a lot of fog right on the coast, though it's sunny just a little ways east. It's helped to cool things off a bit, and more cooling is predicted for the days ahead.

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The rut - the mating season - of the Black-tailed Deer has commenced. John Meyer got this beautiful photo of a Doe running with the ocean in the background. She very well could be running from a randy Buck.

Eric Zetterholm watched and photographed as a Buck approached a more willing Doe.

Eric told me the Buck did mount the Doe. It's time to drive a little more carefully while these big Bucks only have one thing on their minds!

Thanks to John and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here!

Warm and muggy this morning with overhead clouds. Hot this afternoon as the clouds have disappeared for the most part.

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At the Point Arena Pier recently this CA Sea Lion decided to use the ramp at the pier to check things out. Surely the big fellow gave a bark of approval before heading back to sea.

There is a large colony of male Sea Lions on Fish Rocks off Anchor Bay. They bark at each other - talking, I assume - pretty much all the time. One of the oceanfront estates there is called "Barking Rocks."

Thanks to Brian for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The fog returned overnight and really cooled things off today. Warmer weather coming in, especially for Saturday!

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Craig Tooley was at Gualala Point Regional Park when he saw this sight.

I believe that's a Lingcod that the Harbor Seal caught for its dinner.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

oooo, warm - no, HOT weather has moved in and the fog is AWOL. Our annual autumn heatwave has begun. It gives you the chance to see a green flash if you are lucky enough to be on the Mendonoma Coast!