Tag Archives: Martin Steinpress

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The Gualala River breached the sandbar yesterday, Oct. 26th, on a calm, sunny day. Usually we are watching in the rain for this event, but not this year. Unfortunately I missed it, but others were there and I'll be sharing photos of it in a few days. Rick and I walked out to the Gualala Bluff Trail this morning to take a look, and it was lightly raining. Here's what we saw:

gualala-river-opening-10-27-16Every year it seems to open in a different spot. Peter Baye photographed one year where it opened at the north end.

gualala-river-opens-to-the-pacific-ocean-by-peter-bayeAnd Martin Steinpress photographed the opening of the river last year, this time further to the south.

gualala-river-opens-feb-6-2015-by-martin-steinpressThe latter part of October is early for the river to open, but it's a testament to the lovely rains we been receiving. As Rick and I watched the river flowing into the ocean today, we saw a group of Harbor seals, or possibly Sea lions, happily hunting steelhead in the mouth of the river.

More rain for the Mendonoma coast today. We're loving it!

Thanks to Peter and Martin for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Gualala Point Regional Park is a coast jewel. Visitors and locals alike can be seen walking the many trails, some along the bluffs and others to the sandy beach.

Gualala Point Regional Park by Jeanne Jackson Amber waves of grain - Gualala Point Regional Park by Wendy Bailey Yellow Bush Lupine at Gualala Point Regional Park by Martin Steinpress Pacific Ocean seen from Gualala Point Park by jeanne JacksonIrene Leidner is in charge of the volunteers who staff the Visitors Center Friday through Monday. She has several shifts that need to be filled. Can you help? Each shift is 2-1/2 to 3 hours, once a month. Irene will train you, and you are guaranteed to meet interesting visitors to the coast. Please contact Irene at: ildrbdvy@mcn.org.

The photo of "Waves of Amber Grain" was taken by Wendy Baily. The photo of Lupine was taken by Martin Steinpress. The other two are mine. Thanks to Wendy and Martin for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Mel Smith recently counted 121 Tundra Swans near the Garcia River. He took this photo through his spotting scope. You will see Canada Geese too.

Tundra Swans and Canada Geese by Mel Smith

Martin Steinpress also saw and photographed Tundra Swans recently.

Three Tundra Swans and Mallards by Martin Steinpress Tundra Swans by Martin Steinpress

The past four years, during the drought, only a few Tundra Swans returned to overwinter on the Mendonoma coast. So we're happy to see more than a hundred, though that is still a small number compared to the numbers we used to see.

Here is a close-up look at these beautiful swans in flight, taken by Steve Wilcox.

Tundra Swans by Steve Wilcox

Thanks to Steve, Martin and Mel for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Zack, the golden retriever, was walking with his people, Rene and Martin Steinpress, along one of The Sea Ranch public access trails. As they watched the fog appeared.Zack watches the developing fog by Martin Steinpress

There is fog offshore today, but not inland - at least in Anchor Bay and Gualala! It's sunny and warm, but we know it won't last for long.

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

 

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Great Blue Herons walk with a stately grace. And seeing one fly, with its slow wing beats, is a treat. Martin  and Rene Steinpress recently saw one on a bluff on The Sea Ranch while they were walking on one of the public access trails.

A Great Blue Heron on the bluff by Martin Steinpress Great Blue Heron by Martin Steinpress

Great Blue Herons eat small mammals, and they eat fish too. Here is one of my favorite photos of a GBH, just taking off from the water. This photo was taken by Paul Brewer.

And we have liftoff - a Great Blue Heron by Paul Brewer

Thanks to Martin and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.capturingnatureswonders.com