Tag Archives: California Coastal National Monument

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Nancy Padgett photographed this very low tide recently. It was pretty foggy that day! The low tide exposes a possible pathway to Gualala Point Island.

Very low tide and Gualalal Point Island by Nancy Padgett

It wouldn't be a good idea to walk over there. An incoming tide could trap you there. And the rocks and islands off our coast are protected as part of the California Coastal National Monument. This particular island is an important seabird nesting site. We wouldn't want the birds disturbed in any way.

To learn more about the Monument, here is a link to the Bureau of Land Management: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/nlcs/California_Coastal_NM.html

Thanks to Nancy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Barry Richman was helping a friend out - I believe the feeding of a cat was involved - when he saw the early morning sun light up Fish Rocks.

The early morning sun hits Fish Rocks by Barry Richman

The rocks glowed in the sunlight for about two minutes, a lovely sight to behold.

Fish Rocks is off of Anchor Bay and part of the California Coastal National Monument [CCNM]. There is an active colony of male Sea Lions there and seabirds nest on the west side.

To learn more about the CCNM, here is the link to the Bureau of Land Management: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/content/ca/en/prog/blm_special_areas/nm/ccnm.html

Thanks to Barry for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Ron LeValley was out on the Point Arena-Stornetta lands when Secretary Jewel visited to see this beautiful land for herself last November. The hope of many of us is for this land to be included in the California Coastal National Monument.

While Sally Jewell visited the land, three Humpback Whales started breaching. Though it was a long ways off Ron got this photo. What perfect timing - even the Whales are in agreement!

Ron enjoys going on pelagic trips and sometimes gets some fantastic up close and personal photos of Humpback Whales. Below is one such photo.

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's photography, here  is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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I can catch a glimpse of this rock formation as I drive into Gualala from Anchor Bay. It's named Castle Rock and you can see why.

The rocks and islands off the Mendonoma Coast are all part of the California Coastal National Monument. They are important resting stations for birds, Sea Lions, Harbor Seals and other critters.

Richard Hansen sent along this photo and I thank him for allowing me to share it with you here.

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Gualala Point Island is a large, rocky island sitting off the northernmost end of The Sea Ranch. It is a haven for many birds and pinnipeds and many of us enjoy watching them from the bluffs. But on the far side, where we landlubbers cannot see, there is a large colony of Brandt's Cormorants currently nesting.

TSR are Stewards of the rocks and islands off their stretch of the coast, which are part of the California Coastal National Monument. They have formed a Task Force to monitor the seabirds. Recently their aerial photographer Craig Tooley went up with pilot Tom Osborne as part of their 5th year of monitoring and captured this photo. There are also some Common Murres in the photo, a cause for excitement. There is hope they may be prospecting for nests. And one lone Gull at the top, hoping for a free meal.

This is the big reason why fireworks over the 4th of July weekend in Gualala are a bad idea. We are fortunate to have nesting seabirds here. Don't feel sorry for us! We have fireworks in Point Arena 11 miles to the north.