These rock formations are revealed at low tides. You will see why they are called bowling balls. Don Hess captured this lovely sight near sunset as a storm was arriving.
To learn more about Bowling Ball Beach, which is part of Schooner Gulch State Park, here is the link: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=446
Thanks to Don for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
It's stormy here this afternoon - lots of dark clouds and some wind, but little rain yet.
Beth Kattleman wrote,
“I went on a hike to Bowling Ball Beach with my friend, Margaret Lindgren, owner of Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours. It was Marg who pointed out this beautiful patch of Coast Buckwheat just we entered the beach from the north side.
“It was a gorgeous morning – calm sea, low tide, and puffs of lingering fog. Marg also pointed out the sandstone concretions and other geomorphic marvels as we walked the length of Bowling Ball, while she also identified the various Seaweeds that were scattered on the rocky shore.
“I’m lucky to have such a knowledgeable friend! We then hiked the bluff trail between Bowling Ball and Moat Creek, and saw a handsome Osprey perched on a precipice!”
Bowling Ball Beach is found at Schooner Gulch State Park. To learn more about one of my favorite State Parks, here is the link: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=446
And to learn more about Margaret's Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours, here is the link to her website:
http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/
Thanks to Beth for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Steve Coffee-Smith sent in a photo of an unusual fish. Steve wrote, “Our group of family and friends went to Bowling Ball Beach. We found this fish, maybe three inches long, on the newly exposed rocks in the lowering tide. We tried to scoop him up in order to return him to deeper water, but he was stuck to the rock.”
Carol Preston of NOAA knew the ID of the fish. Carol wrote, “It is a Clingfish, Gobiesox maeandricus. They use their ‘suction cup,’ which is their pelvic fins fused together, to cling to the undersides of rocks in the tidepools. They mainly eat small crustaceans and molluscs.”
Thanks to Carol for the ID, and thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
As you drive north on Highway One from the busy San Francisco Bay Area, the beautiful coastline is revealed to you as you wind your way up the curvy road. One particularly spectacular view is of Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino County. Karen Wilder recently photographed this beach at high tide.
At low tide, the rock formations for which this beach is named appear - bowling balls! This photo was taken by Terry Pfardresher.
Bowling Ball Beach is part of Schooner Gulch State Beach. The pathway down to the beach has been repaired, after years of it being closed. We are thankful State Parks fixed it. To learn much more about this park, here is the link: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=446
Thanks to Karen and Terry for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Rozann and George Grunig were driving home on Highway One recently. They decided to pull over and watch the sunset at Bowling Ball Beach. The sun reflected nicely off the iconic "bowling balls."
It is wise to take time to appreciate the beautiful public access spots here on the Mendonoma Coast!
Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see much more of Rozann's photography, here is her website: www.Highway1Designs.com