Tag Archives: Alder Creek

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Alder Creek is at the northern border of Manchester State Park. It is also where the San Andreas earthquake fault heads out to sea. Bonney Ely recently photographed the creek, full with all the rains we have had this year.

Alder Creek Road used to be our public access road to the north end of the park, but it washed out some years ago. I sincerely hope the County of Mendocino will consider rebuilding this road, but currently it seems to have been abandoned. Here is a photo Mary Sue Ittner took of the abandoned road.

Yes, you can walk in from Highway 1, but it is a long hike. Ceanothus, wild lilac, is blooming on the left.

Thanks to Bonney and Mary Sue for allowing me to share their photos with you  here.

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Alder Creek is at the northern boundary of Manchester State Park. It is where the San Andreas fault heads out to sea. Mel Smith was recently hiking on the bluffs there and got this photo.

Alder Creek by Mel Smith

It looks like the creek is currently closed to the Pacific Ocean by that big sandbar.

If you'd like directions to this spot, this website has good ones: http://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/alder-creek-beach-Manchester/  It's a good mile in by foot, as the road has crumbled away in parts and is closed to cars. I dearly miss this public access spot which gave access to the northern part of Manchester State Park.

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

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Peter Baye found this native wildflower on a stretch of beach near Alder Creek. A Painted Lady butterfly was nectaring on it. It's Pink Sand Verbena, and it is rare. Yes, it is growing in the sand.

North Coast Pink Sand-Verbena with a Painted Lady by Peter Baye

Here is a close-up of the flower. It's lovely, isn't it?

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

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A Brown Shrike has been seen for the past week or so in the Alder Creek area. This bird breeds in central and eastern Asia. Less than a handful has ever been seen in California - a very rare visitor indeed.

It's not easy to photograph the bird, and long lenses are needed. The first photo is by Jeff Petit. And the second was taken by Rich Trissel through his spotting scope.

Brown Shrike at Alder Creek by Jeff Petit Brown Shrike by Rich Trissel

Birders from afar have come to add this bird to their life list.

Thanks to Jeff and Rich for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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We have had little rain for the first two months of 2013. We are hoping and praying for more. We did have a very cold storm sweep through last week. It gave Nik Epanchin a change to get a beautiful rainbow photo.

Today feels like springtime here on the Coast. It's in the mid sixties and I have windows and doors open to the warm soft air. Does this sound like February to you?!

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