Tag Archives: Mark Hancock

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With the big, wet winter we've been having, erosion of coastal bluffs is bound to happen. A sinkhole appeared on the north side of the PA Lighthouse.

Here's what Mark Hancock, Executive Director of the Point Arena Lighthouse, had to report:

“After our big week of rains, the sinkhole on the Gazebo Peninsula at the Point Arena Light Station has enlarged significantly. Now measuring 16 feet by 16 feet, the western edge lost about two feet, which left two of the fence posts hanging in midair.

“Justin York and I removed that section of fence so as not to have it fall into the sinkhole. As we were working on it, some chunks of topsoil on the eastern edge fell off into the hole. The bottom of the sinkhole is also open to the ocean, so we may start having a blowhole soon!”

Common sense says to keep a safe distance back from this active area. It's always smart to stay back from cliff edges.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To learn more about our favorite Lighthouse, including lodging, here is their link: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/

Here is one of my favorite photos of the Point Arena Lighthouse taken two years ago by Satori Ivy. I've shared this previously but I'm happy to share it again. Thanks to Satori for allowing me to do so.

We are having another rainy day - downpours interspersed with a little sun, with temperatures in the mid 40's...brrrr!

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Mark Hancock wrote, “Last week when Laverne, Tasi – our new rescue dog from Redwood Coast Humane Society – and I were traveling to the Bay Area. We stopped to take Tasi take for a walk.

“Upon returning to the truck we noticed a Burrowing Owl perched in some rocks. Its coloring makes it blend in perfectly. He/she was quite content to let me take come pictures, looking right at me with its piercing golden eyes. What a treat!”

 

Burrowing Owls are small owls with long legs. If they are disturbed, which the one Mark photographed obviously wasn’t, they bob up and down in a “deep knee-bend” movement. They have a wingspan of 21 inches, but only weigh five ounces. If you are fortunate enough to see one, keep your distance so you don’t disturb this owl.

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

 

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The Point Arena Lighthouse has a feline Guest Relations Manager and Rodent Control Specialist named Arena Mina, according to Lighthouse Executive Director Mark Hancock. He wrote, “Arena Mina was lounging in her office doorway when a Great Blue Heron landed in the field outside and proceeded to start hunting gophers. ‘That’s actually one of my jobs, but there are enough to go around out there,’ Mina said.'

Mina continues, ‘In any event, after one failed attempt, the heron strolled away towards the Lighthouse and ultimately out beyond the fence-line to the bluff where it was finally successful. One less for me!’”

It's nice to know there is no competition between Arena Mina and that hard-working Great Blue Heron! Thanks to Mark for the cute story and for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The Point Arena Lighthouse and surround grounds, plus the Point Arena-Stornetta Land abutting it, is one of my favorite places on the coast. Here is a link to learn more about our favorite lighthouse: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/

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Harbor Seal pups are being born on secluded beaches. While the mothers are busy with their sweet pups, it looks like the males were hanging out together at Gualala Point Regional Park.

Mark Hancock wrote, “Laverne and I went for a hike, hoping to see the Bald eagles – we didn’t, Gray Whales – we did, and walk the beach to the river mouth.

“We were delighted to see 40 Harbor Seals hauled out on the north end of the river mouth, or in the river itself, so we laid out our picnic on the south bank and watched the seals. One of the bigger ones was unhappy that ‘his’ spot was occupied, and he chased the occupant away and into the river.

“We were particularly amused by how the Harbor Seals raised their head and tails when the waves came over the top of the beach and flowed down through where they were laid out.”

Here's two favorite photos of Harbor Seals, both taken by Robert Scarola a few years ago. The first shows a seal managing not to get swept off the rock by the surf. The second shows what bliss it is to be on the Mendonoma coast!

Thanks to Mark and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Mark Hancock is the Executive Director of the Point Arena Lighthouse and he sees many wonderful sightings every day. This one had him reaching for his camera! A wisp of fog was caught on the top of the Lighthouse. With the setting sun reflecting on the fog, it looked there were ghosts at the top of the Tower.

Mark told me he has never seen this before. Pretty amazing!

There is a museum there and lodging too. Autumn is the perfect time for a visit. Whales have been seen recently, non-migrating Gray Whales and a pod of Humpback Whales too. Brown Pelicans have begun migrating south. I love going to the Lighthouse bluffs to look for nature sightings and to soak in the beauty. To learn more about this wonderful Lighthouse, here is the link to their website: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Smoke is pretty much gone, the fog rolled in early Tuesday morning. Rain, blessed rain, is forecast for tomorrow.