I recently showed you a photo of Anchor Bay Beach and mentioned that it was a fun place to play in the waves. Two youngsters had their boogie boards and were doing just that when a Gray Whale appeared very close to shore. Perhaps the whale heard the laughter of the children and came close to join in the fun.
A wonderful memory for these children to tuck away into their hearts and minds.
Thanks to Gail Thompson for allowing me to share these photos with you here.
Sure, the water is cold and you probably will need a wet suit. But Anchor Bay Beach is a fun place to ride the waves. David Wayne Floyd recently photographed a fellow with a boogie board enjoying the waves.
Here's a link to a photo of surfing at this beautiful beach: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/05/20/surfing-on-the-mendonoma-coast/
Thanks to David for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Tide pooling is a Coast tradition. One of the places to tide pool is at Anchor Bay Beach, which is accessed through Anchor Bay Campground. Anchor Bay Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand. And at low tide, there are treasures to be found and photographed, as Michelle Schubert discovered.
Below is an Ochre Sea Star. You can see the star in the middle.
And here is a Sunflower Sea Star. It looks like it lost one of its arms.
And a translucent green Jellyfish.
I love how the Sea Stars, also fondly called Starfish, are draped on the rocks.
Thanks to Michelle for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
To see another photo of a Sunflower Sea Star, this one seen at the Stornetta Public Lands, and learn a little more about them, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/03/27/sunflower-seastar-found-at-the-stornetta-public-lands/
And to see a beautiful wave at AB Beach, here's that link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/16/the-pacific-ocean-is-dancing-at-anchor-bay-beach/
Yesterday we jumped into summer and the warm weather continues today. Of course there are pockets of fog in the usual places - hello, Point Arena! - but the fog will hopefully burn off for everyone.
There were a lot of happy faces as sun shone and David Wayne Floyd photographed the beach action at Anchor Bay Beach yesterday.
This morning with the favorable low tides, abalone divers were hitting the water. A crab boat is working the water south of Fish Rocks this afternoon. Today there is no wind!
Commercial fishermen are awaiting the opening of the Salmon season, which is May 1st south of Point Arena, I believe. Life on the Mendonoma Coast is like a dream, a dream from which you don't want to wake up.
Once in a great while, a Northern Elephant Seal will decide to haul out at Anchor Bay Beach. Wendy Bailey nearly walked by without noticing him because you can see he blends so well with the sand and rocks. And it is definitely a "he" - the big proboscis proves it. Juveniles and females do not have this big nose.
This Elephant Seal looks very relaxed, doesn't he, just barely gazing at Wendy? He stayed for several days before heading to points unknown. Thanks to Wendy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
To find Anchor Bay Beach, you enter through Anchor Bay Campground. There is a nominal entrance fee. To learn more about this beautiful, privately-owned campground, here's their website: http://www.abcamp.com/