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The migration of birds is a wonder when you stop to think about it. They fly great distances twice a year. Aleutian Cackling Geese are flying to southern Oregon where they will feed, rest and get ready for the next migratory stage, flying to the Aleutian Islands. Sara Bogard recently photographed a flock passing by the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula.

In the early 1970’s, these birds numbered only 350 and were on the endangered species list. The story of their comeback is an inspiration. Today there are over 170,000 Aleutian Cackling Geese to delight birdwatchers of all ages.

To listen to their "cackling" call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cackling_Goose/sounds

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

It's sunny with many passing clouds, breezy and cool. 61.35 inches of rain so far at Rick's and my place! We always considered 50 inches a normal rain year.

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Amy Ruegg was headed north on Highway One when she saw this beautiful sight.

She was near Deer Trail on The Sea Ranch. How's this for a great way to start your day? Amy said it was a true blessing and reminder/message of hope.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photo with you here. May your days be filled with rainbows too!

We had a big storm come in last night. Over 2.15 inches of rain fell. This afternoon there has been rain and hail but now it is sunny! What's next?

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Mirka Knaster found this double waterfall at Black Point Beach on The Sea Ranch.

I found a pretty one at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands a few days ago. I'll share that one soon.

Thanks to Mirka for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

The day started off calm but the winds picked up this afternoon. It's sunny and cool. Rain moving in tomorrow night. What a rainy season we've been having!

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Rozanne Rapozo photographed a pair of Double-crested Cormorants, saying she was surprised to find them on the rocks at the park where she usually only sees Pelagic Cormorants. I was amazed by how beautiful the feathers were, etched in a darker color. She wrote, “Looks like [the one on the right] is ready for Spring, and aren’t we all!! A special treat to get one at the start of breeding plumage.”

Tim Bray took a look at this photo and determined the bird on the left is an immature and the bird of the right is an adult coming into breeding plumage.

I asked Diane Hichwa about this sighting. She wrote, “We don't have as many Double-cresteds.  A few nest on Fish Rock Islands. The Pelagic Cormorants nest on the cliff sides at discreet spots up and down the coast. And the Brandt's Cormorants need lots of flatter space so they nest on Gualala Point Island and on Fish Rock Islands."

Notice the "s" shape of their necks. And if you could see inside their mouths, you'd find bright blue mouths!

Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Very breezy, cool with high puffy clouds passing by today.

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Carolyn Case wrote, "[Two weeks ago], I stopped by Cooks Beach. There were no other visitors, and as I walked towards the water’s edge at the north end, I suddenly heard a barking behind me and saw a large Sea Lion heading toward the water. I think we were both surprised."

"It was an exciting sighting but I was sorry to have disturbed it; it must have been resting among the rocks as I had walked right by without noticing it.” Several others had seen this male California Sea Lion and wondered if he was injured. But CC’s photos show what appears to be a healthy Sea Lion. There is an active colony of male Sea Lions living on Fish Rocks off Anchor Bay.

Thanks to CC for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To learn more about Cooks Beach, which was brought to us by the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy, here is a link: https://www.rclc.org/property-map/

It's chilly today - the wind is cold. Lots of clouds drifting by with intermittent sunshine...and achingly beautiful!