Eric Zetterholm was out photographing the two Gualala River Bald Eagles when he got this evocative photo of one of the eagles and the waning Moon visible that afternoon.
Isn't it beautiful? Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share it with you here.
Clouds began piling in this afternoon. Yes, rain is on the way!
Eric Zetterholm has been looking for the mated pair of Bald Eagles who frequented the mouth of the Gualala River. It's been several months since we've seen them. Last week Eric saw what we think is one of the Gualala Bald Eagles.
It's wonderful to see this majestic bird!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Sunny with afternoon breezes. Bonus sighting: the first Boletus edulis, King Boletes, have been seen!
Lisa Walker-Roseman was up at MacKerricher State Park when she had an aerial show. She wrote, “I was standing on Ten Mile Beach, watching the Pelicans and Gulls as they alternately fed on fish and returned to shore to rest. A woman and little girl were walking along the shore, the little girl chasing the birds, when my friend Shannon, who is volunteering with State Parks for the "Share the Beach" program, went over to speak to them about chasing the birds. Then I saw a flash of white and dark brown and knew I was seeing a Bald Eagle. So, I reached for my camera with its 800mm lens and started shooting the drama that unfolded in front of me"
"The eagle was chasing the Osprey, trying to get it to drop its prize - what appeared to be a Salmon."
"After about ten minutes (!), the Osprey dropped its catch into the surf"
"The eagle did dive down to try and grab it, but was left empty-taloned. After a few circles above where the fish fell, the eagle, panting, flew off over the dunes and towards Ten Mile River, defeated."
The Osprey returned and caught a fish.”
Lisa's photos and commentary tell quite a story! I thank her for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see much more of Lisa's nature photos, here is the link to her Facebook account, Feather's Fotos: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByFeather/
Another lovely day with mild temps and no wind. Just about perfect here on the Mendonoma Coast!
Sara Bogard was near the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula when she saw this Bald Eagle come in for a landing. Some kind of duck is in the water behind the big eagle.
Eric Zetterholm recently photographed a Bald Eagle at the Gualala River.
It's so wonderful that Bald Eagles have returned to the Mendonoma Coast!
Thanks to Sara and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Sunny and cool today, with more rain coming in overnight.
Wednesday, Dec. 7th, was a beautiful, clear day with nary a white cap on the ocean. That morning, at low tide, the Gualala River breached the big sandbar at the far north end. Teresa and Rick Denniston had been watching the scene from their home, Serendipity, overlooking the river and ocean. On Tuesday, the river rose to the middle of the sandbar and then receded a bit. On Wednesday morning, the full-to-the-brim river would have its way.
With more rain headed our way, the river should stay open for a while. Steelhead that were trapped in luxury in the river during the summer and autumn months were swept into the next phase of their lives, life in the ocean. Other Steelhead will be arriving to enter the river to spawn. It's not surprising the one of the Bald Eagles was seen, probably hoping for an easy fish dinner.
Harbor Seals and CA Sea Lions also pay attention to this yearly event!
We are fortunate to be able to watch the Gualala River so easily. It's an important part of the fascinating Mendonoma Coast!
Thanks to Teresa for allowing me to share her photos with you here. Serendipity can be rented. You can learn more at this link: https://www.coastinghome.com/rns/vacation-rental/gualala/ca/serendipity I just looked at the photos on their website, and I saw my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year, on their table. Nice!
It's raining today with a big storm coming in Friday night into Saturday. I found Matsutake mushrooms this morning and many other mushrooms are up now.