I'd say pretty darn wonderful! Paul Brewer was the lucky person who saw a Bald Eagle in the morning, and Gray Whales in the afternoon. I love the first photo where it looks like the eagle is skimming the sandbar with his wing.
And then the Gray Whale.
Paul also photographed a calf, but that photo will be shared another time. Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: www.capturingnatureswonders.com
Rick and Teresa Denniston spotted this 3+ year old Bald Eagle perched on a tall snag below their Gualala home. Two Common Ravens are seen below the big Eagle.
The Ravens were trying to harass the Bald Eagle. You can watch a short video of this at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WXjv1on3w&feature=youtu.be
The Bald Eagle doesn't seem too concerned about the Ravens. What strikes me is how much bigger the Eagle is than the Ravens. This Bald Eagle will soon be growing out white feathers on his/her head, denoting that it is an adult.
There have been multiple sightings of what we presume is the same Eagle. Chris Beach took this photo late last year.
Thanks to Rick and Teresa, and to Chris, for allowing me to share their photos and video with you here.
Besides the juvenile Bald Eagle, which I showed you last week, two adult Bald Eagles have been seen near the mouth of the Gualala River. Ken Bailey photographed one of them in flight last Thursday.
What a thrill it is to see this majestic eagle! We hope a mated pair will decide to build a nest in the watershed of the Gualala River.
Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Ken's photography, including his wonderful underwater photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.seadreams.org/
Zak Rudy was at Jenner recently, which is at the mouth of the Russian River. I'll let him tell the story.
“After making one strike and coming up empty, this Bald Eagle returned to find his breakfast. He was fishing just south of Jenner along the river.
“Notice how much initial loft the bird gets, but he has to grab the fish by its back. Then, in one motion, the eagle flips the large fish upside down so he can carry it by the soft belly, truly a remarkable and risky feat. The fish tail drops back in the water, but he was beautifully triumphant in the end!”
And here the Bald Eagle eats its meal.
Thanks to Zak for a very interesting story and for sharing his photos with us here.
While this photo wasn't taken on the Mendonoma Coast, I thought it was so wonderful that I should share it here. Suzanne Kritz was on horseback at the Coastal Equine Ranch in San Luis Obispo when she saw this sight.
We are having more sightings of Bald Eagles here. There are two adults, presumably a mated pair, now seen regularly at the mouth of the Russian River at Jenner. We hope to have Bald Eagles nest here, as it looks like they are expanding their territory.
Thanks to Suzanne for allowing me to share her beautiful photo with you here.