With the clear weather we've been experiencing on the Mendonoma Coast, the sunsets have been awe-inspiring. Debra Mundt recently captured a lovely photo with sunbeams streaming through the clouds and I thank her for allowing me to share it with you.
Yesterday was a day full of happiness. One of the main reasons is that Al - or Alice, we don't really know - returned to the waters off of the Point Arena Pier for its 19 season. The Laysan Albatross arrived around 1 pm yesterday, Dec. 5th, and the news quickly spread. Al was late arriving this year so we were worried. But our worries were in vain, as this unique bird with a fondness for surfers has blessed us once again with its presence.
Mel Smith took this photograph of Al and I thank him for allowing me to share it with you here.
As if Al's arrival wasn't enough, we had a beautiful green flash last night. And a pod of Gray Whales was seen off Gualala yesterday headed south. Lots of exciting sightings here on the Mendonoma Coast!
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!
On Thursday Gray Whales were seen off the Mendonoma Coast. A few were seen headed north, but most were headed south. It is the time of the southward migration, when the mother whales head down to Mexico's Baja California to give birth in protected lagoons.
Here is a picture of a Gray Whale's tail taken by Rozann Grunig near the Point Arena Lighthouse. Noting the shape of the tail can tell you what kind of whale you are seeing.
Fun fact: The Gray Whales have the longest migration than any other migratory mammal on Earth. They travel 5000 to 6000 miles, twice a year!
Here's a fun web site to learn more about these magnificent creatures:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/gwhale/AnnualFall.html
Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo here with you.
The Mendonoma Coast has been hit by several cold storms in the past couple of days. Robert Scarola took a dramatic photo of the approaching storm.
