Tag Archives: Gualala Bluff Trail

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We've had early rains, enough to fill the Gualala River to the brim.You can see that the river is almost breaching the sandbar. This sandbar closes the river every year after the rains stop and creates a lagoon.  The photo below was taken on November 19th.

Another storm hit on the evening of the 20th and when Rick and I went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to take a look on the morning of the 21st, the river was open and draining out to the ocean. The lagoon is gone, replaced by an estuary.

The Gualala opened at the northernmost portion of the sandbar. Muddy water can be seen in the ocean. Any fish, including Steelhead, that were trapped in luxury during the months it was closed were swept into the Pacific Ocean to continue their journey.

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Bob Rutemoeller was walking on the Gualala Bluff Trail this past week when he saw two River Otters swimming in the river. They came up onto the banks of the river and gave Bob a chance to photograph them.

These creatures are comfortable in the water and on land. They can only thrive where the water is unpolluted. They eat fish, octopus, amphibians and even small mammals and birds. One was seen swimming under an unsuspecting Gull and grabbing it for a meal. Sometimes life on the Gualala River can be dangerous.

Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you. Before this photo I did not know they groomed each other. I love learning new information about our wildlife. To see a River Otter and her pup, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/19/river-otters-seen-in-the-gualala-river/

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A walk along the Gualala Bluff Trail brings wonderful sightings. Recently Bob Rutemoeller was doing his docent duties along the trail when he saw this group of Common Mergansers on the river.

Common Mergansers are large Ducks and they are found in Europe, Asia and North America. These fish-eating ducks have serrated edges on their bills, giving them the nickname "sawbills."

I love the wakes they made in the calm Gualala River. Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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On a recent walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail the Gualala River looked particularly beautiful. Frequent readers know that the river has been closed by a massive sandbar. The wintertime estuary is now a lagoon. To the right of the sandbar is the Pacific Ocean. Lovely, don't  you agree?

It's the fourth of July here in the United States, the day we celebrate our independence. The festivities in our area will be held this coming weekend. Fireworks Saturday night in Point Arena, followed by the annual parade on Sunday. Yes, the Golden Retriever Love Brigade will make another appearance - an only in Point Arena sighting!

To see photos of the Love Brigade, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/04/golden-retriever-love-brigade-a-point-arena-4th-of-july-parade-tradition/

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Thursday was such a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast. Rick and I, with Huckleberry, our Golden Retriever, walked the Gualala Bluff Trail. We were amazed to see the level of the river had dropped so low. It was, however, still open to the Pacific Ocean. And the river was so clear that Rick saw a Steelhead swimming towards the river opening.

 A couple was sitting on the sandbar when this squadron of Brown Pelicans approached.

 And "Debbie" is obviously loved! This is river bottom, usually covered with water.

 Some of the flowers currently blooming along the beautiful Gualala Bluff Trail.