Finally! What many of us have been watching and waiting for has been photographed by Eric Zetterholm. One of the two Bald Eagles seen most days near the Gualala River was spotted flying with a large stick covered in lichen – nesting materials. This photo was featured on page one of last week's edition of the Independent Coast Observer.

Eric wrote, “I’d like to share with you a couple of pictures I took Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, of one of the Gualala Bald Eagles as it flew past Gualala Point Regional Park carrying a large stick – for its nest? I was able to watch the eagle get past a pair of Common Ravens who were interested in its clutch, and fly well up river and south over the treetops.”

Last year we watched as the Bald Eagles mated numerous times; one photo was labeled, “Get a room, Bald Eagles!” But we saw no signs of nest building. Bald Eagles nest quite early in the year, so we have hopes that these two Bald Eagles are building a nest in the watershed of the Gualala River.

Thanks to Eric for his good news and for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

ooo, we had a pretty darn vigorous storm hit in the night and it rained hard until early this afternoon. The creek that crosses our land is gloriously pumped up now - a joyous sight!