Tag Archives: Gualala River Lagoon

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Ron Bolander found these interesting-looking ducks in the lagoon of the Gualala River several weeks ago. Bird experts identified the bird on the left as a Northern Shoveler, the one in the middle as a probably Northern Shoveler, and the bird on the right as a Northern Pintail. Yes, birding is NOT for sissies!

Northern Shovelers have that distinctive spoon-shaped bill. They are dabbling ducks and we see the non-breeders here. Their bills have comb-like projections that filter out small crustaceans and seeds in the water for their meals.

Northern Pintails are ducks with long, elegant necks. Once again, we see the non-breeders here.

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

Sunny and chilly - well, chilly for Northern California on the coast! In the 50's today and early this morning it was 41 degrees. Brrr!

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Rozanne Rapozo visited the lagoon of the Gualala River a few weeks and she found dragonflies. For many of us, dragonflies are difficult to photograph because they move so fast. But Rozanne got a wonderful photo of what I thought were mating dragonflies. You will see they are reflected in the river.

I sent Rozanne’s photo to Kathy Biggs. Kathy wrote the book Common Dragonflies of California. She wrote, “Beautiful image of ovipositing Variegated Meadowhawks. They have already mated and now he is tandem guarding her as she lays their eggs. If he didn’t stay guarding her, another male might grab her and remove his sperm, so they stay in tandem. This is a migratory species but these two look pretty fresh still. SUCH a gorgeous photo!"

Rozanne got another photo of these two beauties.

Isn't this fascinating? Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We had a little misting rain this morning, but blue skies are now the order of the day!

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The beauty of nature will help us get through this time. Here is a photo of the Gualala River, the sandbar currently blocking the river mouth, and the Pacific Ocean. The clouds are reflected in the river in this photo taken by Shari Goforth-Eby.

From a friend in Europe. Translated from Italian:
It was March 2020...
The streets were empty, stores were closed, people couldn't go out anymore.
But spring didn't know, and the flowers began to bloom, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, swallows would soon arrive, the sky was blue, morning was coming early.
It was March 2020...
Young people had to study online, and work from home, people couldn't shop anymore, or go to the hairdresser. Soon there would be no room in hospitals, and people continued to get sick.
But spring didn't know, it was time to go to the garden, the grass was growing.
It was March 2020...
People were put on lock down to protect grandparents, families and children. No more reunions or eating out or family parties. Fear had become real and the days all looked alike.
But spring didn't know. Apple trees, cherry trees and others grew; the leaves grew.
People started reading, playing with family, learning a language, singing on the balcony and inviting neighbors to do the same; they learned a new language, became supportive and focused on other values.
People realized the importance of health and of the suffering, of this world that had stopped, of the economy that fell down.
But spring didn't know. The flowers left their place for fruits, the birds made their nests, swallows arrived.
Then release day came, people saw it on TV, the virus had lost, people went down the street, sang, crying, kissing their neighbors, without masks or gloves.
And that's when summer came, because spring didn't know. She continued to be there despite everything, despite the virus, fear and death. Because spring didn't know, she taught people the power of life.
Everything will be alright, stay home, protect yourself, and you will enjoy life.
Thanks to Drew Fagan for sending me this moving essay and thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Mendocino County was put on lock down, shelter in place, today. Tomorrow is the first day of spring. We will get through this.

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Gualala Point Regional Park has so many wonderful aspects to it. It's one of my favorite parks to walk with Rick and our golden retriever, Sunny, which is what we did today. With the King Tides, the ocean was roiled up and big breakers crashed against bluffs and the sandy beach.

Wendy Bailey walked there recently and she was taken by the autumn grasses, which she entitled amber waves of grain.

Amber waves of grain - Gualala Point Regional Park by Wendy Bailey

The Gualala River lagoon has filled up in recent days. At high tide the ocean is spilling over the sandbar that has the river closed. And we've had several small rain events. It's quite kayak-able right now and this weekend could be the perfect time to get in a trip on the river.

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

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On Saturday Rick and I finally kayaked the Gualala River, courtesy of Adventure Rents. They donated this trip to a popular fundraiser for Gualala Arts, called Art off the Wall. Along with art, there are various adventures. I chose this for my prize. Gualala Supermarket donated four delicious box lunches.

I am in the double kayak, awaiting my adventure, excited but just a little nervous.

We went with George and Rozann Grunig; they are in the yellow kayak. We are exploring the lagoon before heading up river, as advised by Wayne Harris of Adventure Rents. In summer months this river is closed to the ocean by a big sandbar, making kayaking very safe.

We found this group of Common Mergansers sunning themselves on a log.

We saw two River Otters. Rozann got a great photo, which I'll share another day. Can you spot the River Otter looking at me on the muddy riverbank?

Any nervousness is now gone and Rick & I are enjoying our first kayak ride.

 Passing under the Gualala River Bridge unveiled over a hundred Swallow nests.

 George and Rozann, more experienced than us, led the way. In two places we did have to get out and walk, as the river is low in spots. We had a dry winter/spring, which accounts for the lower levels. Jan Harris, of Adventure Rents, said, "Embrace your inner child" on the portages. We did and had fun doing it.

 And here Rick and I are, four hours later, happy with our day on the beautiful Gualala River.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photos with you here, along with several I took.

To learn more about the river, visit Friends of the Gualala River at: http://gualalariver.org/

To see many beautiful photos of the river and to learn about kayaking, here's the website for Adventure Rents: http://www.adventurerents.com/

Also, I highly recommend the box lunches Surf Super is putting together. You can order your own custom design at http://surfsuper.com/Home.html