With the calm weather the Coast has been experiencing, Al, the Laysan Albatross, has been making personal appearances in the water off the Point Arena Pier. On Dec. 30th John Batchelder photographed this famous bird.
Look for Al to the north and west of the pier. Thanks to John for allowing me to share his beautiful photo of Al with you here.
The sunset Friday night was especially lovely. I took this photo from our front deck in Anchor Bay.
And here is the last full moon that shone over the Mendonoma Coast on Nov. 26th.
Thanks to Rob for allowing me to share his full moon photo with you here.
We've had early rains, enough to fill the Gualala River to the brim.You can see that the river is almost breaching the sandbar. This sandbar closes the river every year after the rains stop and creates a lagoon. The photo below was taken on November 19th.
Another storm hit on the evening of the 20th and when Rick and I went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to take a look on the morning of the 21st, the river was open and draining out to the ocean. The lagoon is gone, replaced by an estuary.
The Gualala opened at the northernmost portion of the sandbar. Muddy water can be seen in the ocean. Any fish, including Steelhead, that were trapped in luxury during the months it was closed were swept into the Pacific Ocean to continue their journey.
Once again the Golden Retriever Love Brigade made an appearance at the 4th of July parade in Point Arena. Of course the parade wasn't held on the 4th this year but the 8th. When we start down Highway One, which is also Main Street, you can hear people going "awww..." And the children call out to the goldens. It's a heartwarming moment.
Amelia Ronne and Emily Grossman carry our sign.
We won first prize in our division, which was, of course, animals. I'm holding the award and, yes, that's Huckleberry.
We tried and tried to get a photo of the goldens and their owners. Not too successfully! Bridgett, a young pup on the left, was more interested in a ball. Jordan, next to her, is a ball hawk too but he was being a good boy.
I love how the children are reaching out to the dogs. Golden Retrievers are among the friendliest of dogs.
An only in Point Arena event! And below you will see a pup trying - and succeeding - in showing up the Love Brigade. The dog is being pulled by a remote-controlled vehicle and he/she sure looks smug, don't you think?
After a long winter off Abalone season finally opens tomorrow. Whether conditions allow for safe diving is another matter.
April 1st also is the start of watching for the first Harbor Seal pups born on beaches of the Mendonoma Coast. They are very vulnerable, especially to unleashed dogs and well-meaning people who think the pups need to rescued when they don't see the mother. The pups are fine. The mother has gone to feed. If you truly think a pup is in distress, call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-7350. They will send a trained local volunteer to assess the situation.
Mark Hancock recently photographed some of the year round residents off Tide Pool Beach on The Sea Ranch and I thank him for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
To see a sweet photo of a Harbor Seal pup with its mom, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/27/sweet-photo-of-a-harbor-seal-pup-with-its-mom-taken-by-craig-tooley/
And to whet your appetite for abalone season, here's a link to a successful abalone hunt: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/28/ken-bailey-dove-for-abalone-off-the-mendonoma-coast-and-came-home-with-a-hubcap-size-beauty/