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When the sandbar stops much of the river water from entering the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the river floods beautifully into its natural floodplain. Anthony Cuesta photographed the Gualala River from Gualala Point Regional Park, showing Mill Bend. You can see a portion of the Gualala River Bridge on the far right. It's part of Highway One.

Any fish that were in the river when it closed are now trapped in luxury until the river reopens in autumn with enough rain.

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

It's sunny and breezy today. Warmer weather appears to be settling in.

 

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Pyrola aphylla has the common name of Leafless Wintergreen, which really doesn't make sense. It does have very small leaves at the base of its stems. Peter Baye has a beautiful group of them blooming at his place in Annapolis.

Last year I had a group bloom, but this year there are only two very small stalks. I don't know why! But these plants are mycotrophic, which means they have a relationship with fungi, getting nutrients.

These plants are native to California.

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

Sunny and warm, with some strong winds near the ocean this afternoon.

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The Doe settled down in a part of the garden where she could dine on some apparently delicious white daisies in comfort. Kevin said he "caught her in the act!"

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

Fog drifted up this morning but then pulled back to reveal a beautiful June day with no wind.

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There are a few Peregrine Falcon nests on the Mendonoma Coast. Chris Skyhawk has been watching one. And he was treated to an aerial show recently. Here's the video he took:

Peregrine Falcons by Chris Skyhawk

Here's a recent look at a Peregrine near the Gualala River with its catch, taken by Ann Adel Rudinow Saetnan. In the one photo you can see the falcon eating while flying!

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his video and to Ann for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

Sunny and mild with no wind today - a lovely, lovely day.

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Eric Zetterholm photographed an Osprey framed by the moon, a spectacular photo worthy of being on greeting cards. Eric wrote, “We were down at Shell Beach and saw an Osprey hunting the shallow waters during a low tide. With a light wind, the Osprey was able to hover above the cove with the waning moon, and then dive down after its prey."

Isn't this lovely? Ospreys have such distinctive, whistling calls - I was hearing their calls earlier today. You can listen for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds

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

Cool fog blanketed the Mendonoma Coast early Saturday morning. It pulled back to leave us with a beautiful day, low 70's with no wind. Lots of visitors are here this weekend!