After doing its summertime impersonation of a lake, the Pacific Ocean has come to life. Waves have begun crashing onto bluffs, sand and rocks. Richard Kuehn's home overlooks Gualala Point Island. He recently took these photos.
You can see we are having beautiful clear weather, albeit windy. This is a great time to be on the Mendonoma Coast.
Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Rick and I live a half mile back from the Pacific Ocean yet the sound of the crashing waves can be heard - and felt - inside our house. The ocean is in full voice and there is no denying its presence. Rich Kuehn photographed waves hitting Gualala Point Island yesterday from his home at The Sea Ranch.
There is an amazing amount of power in this photo. I thank Rich for allowing me to share it with you here. To learn more about this special island, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/05/05/gualala-point-island-a-rocky-island-off-the-sonoma-coast/
Gray Whales have been seen most days this past week. It looks like the southward migration has already begun. On Thursday Rick and I took a hike at Gualala Point Regional Park and were rewarded with the sighting of a pod of perhaps six whales. They were just west of Gualala Point Island, the rocky island you can see in the left side of this photo. There are two spouts on the right side.
And then we found our first Boletus edulis, a King Bolete, yesterday.
One of the most delicious edible mushrooms on the Mendonoma Coast, they are always a treat to find.
Rick and I always purchase a Sonoma County Parks annual pass. The place we use the pass the most is by far Gualala Point Regional Park. Recently we hit a perfect day with no wind.
Here is our golden retriever, Huckleberry, and Rick at the start of the trail.
We walked out to the bluffs and were rewarded with views like this one. Gualala Point Island is on the right.
And we returned an hour later to where we parked my car, a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL. It's a great car for curvy Highway One but it's a tight fit for Huckleberry behind the seats.
To see a sunset photographed at this park, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/01/beautiful-sunset-at-gualala-point-regional-park/
On a visit to Gualala Point Regional Park on Thursday, Rick and I hiked along the bluffs. It was a warm beautiful day with little wind. I always bring a jacket when I head to the ocean but I didn't need it that day! The sweet song of a White-crowned Sparrow caught our attention and there he was sitting on top of a Lupine bush. In the warmth the smell from the Lupines was sweet indeed.
Can you see what is in the photo below? Only Huckleberry's interest and a flash of movement alerted us that something was there.
Here is a close-up of what Huckleberry saw - a snake in the grass. It was a long one too, well over a foot and a half long.
And keeping with the hard to see theme, can you see the Deer looking at us? The grasses at the park are lush and full of feed. The Deer at the park are going to be very healthy.
And lastly, here's a photo of Gualala Point Island, an important rookery for nesting seabirds.
It costs $7.00 for the day use fee. We purchased a Sonoma County Parks annual pass, which we use regularly. It is also good at all the Sea Ranch public access trails.
What I haven't shown you here is the beautiful beach at the park. That will have to wait for another post.