Tag Archives: Cook’s Beach

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That's what Michael Combs called this sight at Cooks Beach. The storm waves washed away much of the sand on the beach, leaving behind stones piled high with sand "castles."

The storms washed in a LOT of driftwood too.

Now the beach has a chance to recover and build back up its sand. Cooks Beach is a very popular pocket beach at the northern end of Gualala. Here's a link to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy to learn more about this special place: http://www.rc-lc.org/

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Today is like a gift, weather-wise. Now is the time to visit, with no rain in the forecast for at least five more days.

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Cooks Beach has become a favorite spot for locals and visitors. It's a fairly new public access spot, and we do love it! Many enjoy watching the sunset there, either from the bluff or down on the beach. Dede Plaisted recently captured this beautiful sight.

To learn more about this pocket beach, here is the website for the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy: http://www.rc-lc.org/Cooks-Beach.html

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

It's cold and clear on the Mendonoma coast today.

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Anne Mary Schaefer is a talented photographer. She recently captured a scene of great beauty at Cooks Beach with the vibrant colors of the sunset reflected in the Pacific Ocean, the creek and the sand.

Just lovely! This moment brought to you by the Mendonoma Coast. And, of course, Anne Mary. I thank her for allowing me to share her photo with you here. She is a talented pet photographer. Visit her website to learn more about her at this link: https://www.pawpawrazzipetphotography.com/about-me

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Michael Combs' dog, Ranger, found an unusual sighting. Michael wrote, "On Cooks Beach, our dog, Radar, was very excited by something he smelled in the surf near the shore. After a bit, I saw the tip of what was the wing of a dead Longnose Skate in the water. I dragged it to shore and took its picture."

"Including the tail, it was about four feet long, and was heavy, estimated 40 to 50 pounds. It wasn’t on the beach today, a good thing as it was starting to smell pretty bad.”

I had never seen one of these skates with a very long nose before. I sent Michael’s photo to MaryJane Schramm of NOAA. She wrote, “Cool find!  I believe this is a Longnose skate, Raja rhina, and they are found here, indeed. They're usually at deeper depths, but wildlife notoriously does not read the books we write about them.”

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

We are beginning to cloud up this afternoon. Some rain is predicted soon, our first in nearly six months. It is so very welcomed!

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Sea Stars, formerly called Starfish, are back, recovered from the wasting disease that decimated their numbers. Cece Case recently photographed three Ochre Stars off Cooks Beach in Gualala.

Peter Fimrite, of the San Francisco Chronicle, wrote about their miraculous recovery. He wrote, "The colorful invertebrates have undergone a remarkable genetic adaptation that is protecting them from the deadly pathogen, a new study has found." You can read Peter's entire article at this link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Starfish-on-California-coast-nearly-wiped-out-by-13018262.php

It truly is wonderful news. With the Sea Stars absence, Sea Urchins proliferated, decimating the kelp beds. This led to Abalones starving. It is hoped...and expected...that with the Stars recovery, the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean will be more in balance.

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