Siegfried Matull captured the moment a Brown Pelican landed in the Gualala River, with its reflection clear in the water. It's a lovely photo and I thank Siegfried for allowing me to show it.
Brown Pelicans are migrating through the Mendonoma Coast, heading south for warmer waters to spend the winter. They are one of my favorite birds, just wonderful to watch fly by in formation - another privilege of living on the Mendonoma Coast!
River Otters, Lontra canadensis, can be seen near the mouths of the Mendonoma Coast's rivers and creeks. There is a family of River Otters living in dens on the banks of the Gualala River. They are members of the Weasel family.
Siegfried Matull photographed a River Otter with a fish, which is their favorite food, and has kindly allowed me to share it with you.
We don't have Sea Otters this far north, for which abalone divers give thanks. River Otters can move on land and sea, whereas Sea Otters never leave the water.
Brown Pelicans are streaming by the Mendonoma Coast now, headed to points south. Robert Scarola recently caught a photo of a Gull flying with two Brown Pelicans - something you don't usually see. Did the Gull have delusions of grandeur? Or was it using the stronger birds' wing beats as a lift to its flying? Whatever the answer, it made for a very interesting photo. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share it with you here.
I love watching Brown Pelicans land in the Gualala River. Late in the afternoon is the best time to see them. They are so graceful in the air but their landings can often be awkward, leaving me laughing out loud.
On Saturday we again sauntered down the beautiful Gualala Bluff Trail. Yes, it was foggy but we could see under it. It looks like it will take more rain to open the river. Stay tuned!
In the foreground of this photo is the river, then the sand bar with Gulls flying overhead. Beyond is the Pacific Ocean. You can see some fanciful structures made out of driftwood on the beach at Gualala Regional Park.
As we walked on the GBT we heard flapping and splashing. Gulls were bathing in the Gualala River. At the top of the photo you can see where the river has expanded into the floodplains.
I thought this Saturday would be the first day of Boletus edulis, or King Boletes, but I just received this photo by Rozann Grunig of a beauty found this morning in Sonoma County. It's almost as big as the pineapple. Game on for bolete season!
We spent some time watching the beautiful Gualala River yesterday and again today. It is still closed to the Pacific Ocean but it could open any time. The river will break through the sandbar soon and I would dearly love to be there when it happens. I'm told the sound is amazing. Juvenile Steelhead are in the river's lagoon, waiting to go on their next journey. You can see the ocean waves washing over the sandbar in the photos below.
There are lots of wonderful things going on here on the Mendonoma Coast this week! My best to you, Jeanne Jackson