Tag Archives: Mendonoma coast

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River Otters, Lontra canadensis, can be seen near the mouths of the Mendonoma Coast's rivers and creeks. There is a family of River Otters living in dens on the banks of the Gualala River. They are members of the Weasel family. 

Siegfried Matull photographed a River Otter with a fish, which is their favorite food, and has kindly allowed me to share it with you.

We don't have Sea Otters this far north, for which abalone divers give thanks. River Otters can move on land and sea, whereas Sea Otters never leave the water.

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A cold storm is hitting the Mendonoma Coast this afternoon. We have our wood stove cranked up. Before the storm arrived, the ocean looked like corduroy. The sunset Thursday night was quite beautiful with the sun painting a stairway of gold across the Pacific Ocean.

To see a beautiful sunset at Gualala Point Regional Park, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/01/beautiful-sunset-at-gualala-point-regional-park/  And here's another spectacular sunset, this time at the Point Arena Lighthouse - http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/22/beautiful-sunset-at-the-point-arena-lighthouse/

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Brown Pelicans are streaming by the Mendonoma Coast now, headed to points south. Robert Scarola recently caught a photo of a Gull flying with two Brown Pelicans - something you don't usually see. Did the Gull have delusions of grandeur? Or was it using the stronger birds' wing beats as a lift to its flying? Whatever the answer, it made for a very interesting photo. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share it with you here.

I love watching Brown Pelicans land in the Gualala River. Late in the afternoon is the best time to see them. They are so graceful in the air but their landings can often be awkward, leaving me laughing out loud.

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Rozann Grunig captured this dramatic photo of a Great Blue Heron perched on a rock during the wild surf. Storms to our north can cause high surf on the Mendonoma Coast in November.  The heron sure looks like it is hunkered down!

To see a lovely photo by Marianne Rittenhouse of a Great Blue Heron at the moment it takes wing, and to learn more about Great Blue Herons, click on this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/09/30/great-blue-heron-photographed-just-as-it-takes-flight-a-lovely-photograph-by-marianne-rittenhouse/

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A week ago I took these two photos of the sunset from Rick's and my Anchor Bay home. I thought the streaks in the sky were particularly interesting, especially in the second photo.

To see several other recent sunsets, here are the links: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/28/two-photos-of-sundays-magnificent-sunset-by-gary-klein/ and http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/24/a-spectacular-sunset-photo-by-coastal-photographer-ron-levalley/

Our lovely, warm autumn weather is about to end with a coldfront due to arrive tomorrow. The good news is the rain will certainly re-start the mushroom season. There is always a silver lining!