John Batchelder saw a pod of what he thought were dolphins or perhaps Killer Whales. They were Risso's Dolphins and many were breaching. Using his long lens, John got these photos. 
Risso's Dolphins prey on Humboldt Squid and their bodies can be marked by the squids' beaks. The more scars, the older the dophin is. Here is a close-up of a Risso's Dolphin taken by Ron LeValley. 
Thanks to John and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, his website is: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/
Tag Archives: John Batchelder
Al, the Laysan Albatross, did not return last winter.
We had such a strange weather year with hardly any rain until February. Al, the Laysan Albatross, usually arrives in November or December, often after a big storm. Since we had no big storm in those months, perhaps that is why Al did not return to the waters off the Point Arena Pier.
Laysan Albatrosses generally do not come near land. We've been fortunate to have Al [or Alice, we don't really know] visit and birders from around the country come to see him. Here is a photo of this unique bird taken by John Batchelder.
We hope this was an anomaly and that our favorite Albatross will return in November or December. The last time Al was here, he arrived on Dec. 22, 2012 and left on March 7, 2013. Previous arrival dates were Dec. 5, 2011, Nov. 22, 2010, and Nov. 18, 2009. I have records going back to 1994.
Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Al had been missing since Jan. 17th but the famous Laysan Albatross returned
Beth and Jeff Petit were down near the pier in Point Arena in the late afternoon on Feb. 10th. After a long absence Point Arena's most famous visitor soared in from the southwest and landed in his favorite spot on the north side of the pier. Beth got this photo of Al, the Laysan Albatross, coming in for his most welcomed return.
Beth said everybody down at the pier cheered Al's return. Below is a close-up photo, which was taken by John Batchelder. Al...or Alice, we don't really know...is one handsome bird.
Thanks to Beth and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Today we celebrate Valentine's Day and the Mendonoma Coast couldn't be any lovelier. It's warm and there is no wind. In between storms in the winter is one of the best times to be here.
Al, the Laysan Albatross, as photographed by John Batchelder
With the calm weather the Coast has been experiencing, Al, the Laysan Albatross, has been making personal appearances in the water off the Point Arena Pier. On Dec. 30th John Batchelder photographed this famous bird.
Look for Al to the north and west of the pier. Thanks to John for allowing me to share his beautiful photo of Al with you here.
Two Orcas were seen off of The Sea Ranch and photographed by John Batchelder
John Batchelder noticed the tall dorsal fin indicative of an Orca, aka Killer Whale. Then he saw a second one. California Sea Lions had been seen rafting in the same area two days earlier.
Orcas aren't Whales - they are actually Dolphins, albeit BIG ones!
Below you will see the Sea Lions John photographed two days before the Orcas showed up.
Orcas hunt Sea Lions, among other large creatures of the sea. Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photos with you here.