Tag Archives: Gualala River

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Two Bald Eagles have been making  numerous appearances at the Gualala River. They've been seen perched together on two logs and flying over the river. Ken Bailey photographed them this past week. In the first photo, one of the Bald Eagles takes flight, reflected in the river.

And below is a photo of the pair. This photo appeared on page one of this week's Independent Coast Observer, the best small town paper around. (I may be a bit biased...)

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you. To see much more of Ken's photography, including underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

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Birds do more than take a bath in the nice birdbaths we put out for them. They more often drink from them. Other critters drink from them too, especially this winter with our sparse rainfall to date. Janice Batchelder captured a photo of a Gray Fox getting some refreshment.

Jim Garlock took one of my favorite photos of a Western Scrub Jay taking a bath.

And below is our golden retriever, Huckleberry, taking a gravel bath after swimming in the Gualala River.

Thanks to Janice and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you.
Some extra sightings from today - two adult Bald Eagles were perched on a snag in the middle of the Gualala River. I hope to share photos of them with you soon. Gray Whales continue to be spotted heading south on their long migration to Baja California, where the pregnant females will give birth.

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White-tailed Kites are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are interesting to watch while they hunt as they hover over a meadow while they search for prey. Siegfried Matull recently photographed one hunting near his home on The Sea Ranch.

White-tailed Kites eat mostly small mammals, but they do eat lizards, insects and some birds. I often see one hunting over the grasslands along the Gualala River while hiking at Gualala Point Regional Park.

To hear the call of this beautiful raptor, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

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

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North American River Otters, Lontra canadensis, can only survive in unpolluted waters, a testament to the clean waters of the Mendonoma Coast. On our recent kayak trip, Rozann Grunig photographed a River Otter that had just climbed out of the Gualala River and onto the riverbank of the lagoon.

And below is a photo Siegfried Matull took of a River Otter with a fish in its mouth. 

Along with their favorite food, fish, River Otters have been seen cooperatively taking a Gull, or even a Brown Pelican, found resting on the river, unknowing there was danger.

River Otters have been seen playing - sliding down riverbanks or along kelp beds. They are part of the fabric that is the Mendonoma Coast.

Thanks to Rozann and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos.

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Emily Nelson and a friend recently took a kayak trip on the Gualala River. She brought her camera along so we can share in her experience.

Reflections in the river from Emily's kayak.

 Below is a common Merganser family, with Mom bringing up the rear. Emily counted 13 babies.

 And below is a Seep-spring Monkey Flower. It was seen growing along the bank of the Gualala River.

Don't have your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard? Adventure Rents of Gualala does all the work so you just have fun. They even can accommodate pets. Here's their website where you can also find many wonderful photos of the river: http://www.adventurerents.com/

Thanks to Emily for allowing me to share her photos with you here.