Jim Garlock noticed the two juvenile Bald Eagles in a tree their parents like to perch on. These are the two eagles that were hatched this year somewhere in the Gualala River watershed. Jim also photographed one of the parents high in the tree.
Welcome, Bald Eagles!
Thanks to Jim for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Lots of cool, thick fog hugging the coast, with sunny skies a little ways inland.
If you follow these blog posts or read my column in the Independent Coast Observer, you know that we have had a mated pair of Bald Eagles in Gualala for the past several years. We've been wishing and hoping they would have a chick and it looks like they did this year. Steve Woolson photographed the family near Salal Creek, which is very close to the Gualala River. The fledgling is eating a bird that one of the adults caught for him/her.
The fierce-looking mother is on the right. You can make out a few stray dark hairs on her head. A totally white head denotes a mature bald eagle. She was obviously mature enough this year to hatch an egg and nurture her chick. The father had been seen diligently fishing and then flying upriver with his catch. We believe the nest is in the watershed of the Gualala River.
So, how about this goo - no, great - news?! We need it, right? Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
We have no smoke from the wildfires here, as the wind is pushing it southward. In fact, if you didn't read or listen to the news, you'd never know anything was amiss if you were on the Mendonoma Coast! It's sunny and breezy today. Many Humpbacks were seen today too.
Eric Zetterholm recently photographed the mated pair of Bald Eagles mating. Yes! X-rated Sightings for you today.
The eagles were in the dead tree that can be seen from the north end of the Gualala Bluff Trail, or from behind Trinks Restaurant. The mating is quick! Eric later spotted them in the sandbar of Gualala River, facing the Pacific Ocean. Do you see a heart between the two Bald Eagles' beaks and throats? Sweet!
Thanks once more to Eric Zetterholm for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Another lovely day here on the Mendonoma coast. Birdsong fills the air. With spring right around the corner, and wildflowers beginning to appear, it's a great time to be on the coast.
Eric Zetterholm often spots the mated pair of Bald Eagles that have made the Gualala River area their home. They have been seen mating just a few days ago. The male is in the foreground.
Eric found one of the Bald Eagles had snagged a Steelhead from the Gualala River. A group of Common Ravens tried their best to get the fish from the male, even pulling on the big eagle's tail feathers!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his great photos with you here.
We saw the sun today after three days of pounding rain, and it seemed like everyone was smiling in downtown Gualala. We received 9.85 inches of rain from the river-of-rain event - one of the wettest storms we've ever experienced here. Our rain total season-to-date is 47.10 inches. A normal year for us is 50 inches, so we are in great shape this year.
Eric Zetterholm photographed the Bald Eagles recently. He found them "checking out" this tall, old-growth Redwood Tree east of Gualala Point Regional Park Campground.
There looks to be a nice flat area on the left for a nest...hint, hint! Eric says he will be watching in the days to come.
Eric also got this magnificent photo of the two, forming a heart. The larger female is on the right.
Shari GoForth-Eby photographed one of the Bald Eagles flying by so we can see the white tail feathers.
You can also see the bones of the eagle's legs. Nice!
Thanks to Eric and Shari for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
It has clouded up this afternoon and we are expecting the first of several storms tonight.