Tag Archives: Irish Beach

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Shouqin Huo was welcomed to the coast by visits from a Bobcat. Shouqin wrote, “We recently became part-time residents of Irish Beach. During our last stay, we noticed almost daily a Bobcat hunting for gophers in the grass area between our neighbors’ houses. I would like to share a couple of photos.”

I was amazed at the Bobcat’s beautiful eyes, a light green or hazel. I learned Bobcat kits under four weeks old have bright blue eyes, which then change to green or hazel.

Thanks to Shouqin for allowing me to share these photos with you here.

Rain yesterday (0.15 inches), brilliant sunshine today, Sunday. Lots of folks at Art in the Redwoods at the Gualala Arts Center today. If you didn't make it this weekend, stop by to see the fabulous art displayed throughout the Arts Center. And check out the Best Mendonoma Sightings winner, a beautiful photo of a Great Egret by Paul Brewer!

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This is the beautiful sight Gary Levenson-Palmer saw in Irish Beach - a dramatic sunset. It looks rather like a painting!

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

Sunny and warmer today, and the breezes picked up this afternoon. Many Humpback Whales are being seen off our coast. Here's a report from Friday by Scott and Tree Mercer of the Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study:

Friday August 25,2023. Point Arena Peninsula and Saunders Reef.
Foggy, overcast morning but with 4 plus miles of visibility.
NW 8,
Bright sun by noon.
23 humpbacks stretched from the California Coastal Monument to NNW of the Lighthouse.
Lots of breaching, some chin slams, flipper slaps.
None seen at Saunders Reef.
Also
1 Northern harrier
Unknown oyster catchers
hundreds of pelicans both southbound in groups up to 30. Many other pelicans circling and diving for food over the humpbacks.
2 osprey.

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Walt Rush found this little owl on his deck in Irish Beach - a Northern Pygmy-Owl.

I love these little owls. They can be seen in the daytime hours hunting small birds.  Their calls are interesting, a slow, measured hoot. You can hear it for yourself at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pygmy-Owl/sounds

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

Lots of clouds from a tropical disturbance to the south. Maybe some rain tonight? But, please, no dry lightning!

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Paul and Monique Cooper were the first to spot this Bald Eagle who is missing his or her left eye. The eagle visited their area in Irish Beach for several days.

I sent Paul's photo to several experienced birders, asking if they had seen this bird before. No one had. In my Mendonoma Sightings column I asked people to be on the lookout for this Bald Eagle and see if they could get a closer photo. Eric Zetterholm came through, as he often does.

I was told this Bald Eagle has two indentations in the back of his or her head. I would guess that this eagle was attacked, perhaps by a Great Horned Owl. Using up one of his or her lives, this Bald Eagle has completely healed and was seen by Eric eating a fish. Hooray!

Thanks to Paul and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Wind and more wind is the story today. This is suppose to be the last day of the strong wind. May it be so!

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Bill Mabie found this Bobcat near Irish Beach, and he got a wonderful photo of the cat with the bobbed tail.

The markings on every Bobcat are unique to itself, like our fingerprints.

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

Foggy right along the coast, and bright sunshine at our house, which is a 1/2 mile from the ocean. The Mendonoma Coast has many microclimates. The temperature hit 72 degrees today, not very winter-like!