Tag Archives: Gualala River

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Peter Baye and Will Ericson were exploring the newly exposed river bed of the Gualala River when they spotted a juvenile Western Pond Turtle.

A juvenile Western Pond Turtle by Peter Baye Western Pond turtle in Gualala River by Peter Baye

This is the first juvenile that Peter has seen in quite some time, good news as these turtle are on the endangered species list.

Western Pond Turtles favor a habitat with boulders and logs where they can sun themselves. They are very wary of people. Peter tells me he is usually made aware of one of these turtles' presence by hearing the sound of the turtle disappearing into the water. This little guy must have wondered what happened to the water. It was walking across the newly exposed stream bed when Peter and Will noticed it.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here. May there be many more juvenile Pond Turtles in the Gualala River!

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During the recent high tides, Rozann Grunig went to the Gualala Bluff Trail to photograph the big surf. She found this Great Blue Heron seemingly watching the surf. It took flight and Rozann got this photo.

Great Blue Heron by Rozann Grunig

She also got this dramatic photo of the King Tides washing over the sandbar of the Gualala River.

King Tides wash over sandbar of the Gualala River by Rozann Grunig

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see more of Rozann's photography, here is her website: http://highway1designs.com/

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Yesterday, January 20th, there was a 7.2 high tide, a King Tide. King Tides are the highest of high tides. Watching the waves breaking over the sandbar of the Gualala River is exciting. And the Gualala Bluff Trail is the perfect place to be. When we first arrived there wasn't too much action but all of a sudden the waves were closer together. All at once the Pacific Ocean surged over the sandbar in multiple places. Wow!

King Tides washing over the Gualala River Sandbar 1.20.15 by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

The Gualala River is full because it is currently closed off from the ocean by the sandbar. It might take more storms to reopen it. Rain is in our forecast for next week. Here are some other photos of the event.

King Tides brought saltwater into the Gualala River by Jeanne Jackson (Large) King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large) Sandbar disappears under water during King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large) The Gulls were disturbed by the King Tides by Jeanne Jackson (Large)

In the final photo, which is washed out from the sun, you can see all the Gulls who were suddenly disturbed by the surging water.

To get to the Gualala Bluff Trail, there are two public access points. Between the Sandbar Restaurant and the Breaker's Inn there is a staircase access. And there is an access down the parking area of the Surf Motel. It seems like there is always something to see from this popular trail.

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Peter Cracknell wanted to see what the Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River looked like from the Annapolis Road Bridge. Here's what he found.

The Annapolis Road Bridge over the Wheatfield Fork by Peter Cracknell The raging Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River by Peter Cracknell

John Sperry was out by Stump Beach, which is found at Salt Point State Park, and this is what he found - a seasonal waterfall and stormy seas.

Seasonal waterfall north of Stump Beach by John Sperry Stormy seas off Stump Beach by John Sperry Waterfall at Stump Beach by John Sperry

Now we have a chance to dry out for a few days. After 28 inches in such a short time, we deserve a pause. Hello, sunshine!

Thanks to Peter and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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A big, wet storm dropped a lot of rain on the Mendonoma Coast. At our house in Anchor Bay we received over 6 1/2 inches of rain in two days. The Garcia River flooded Highway One yesterday, closing the road. It reopened this morning. Chris Howard photographed the Gualala River yesterday and it was full to the brim and moving fast.

The Gualala River is full to the brim by Chris Howard The raging Gualala River by Chris Howard

The raging river blew out the rest of the sandbar to the north. The river is something to behold!

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

If you are on the Mendonoma Coast tomorrow, Dec. 13th, the Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers will be performing their holiday concert at the Gualala Arts Center at 3 pm. I am the director/conductor, so you could have a sighting of me, along with the sound of beautiful handbells. Here is the group:

The Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers Summer 2014 by Rick Jackson (Large)