Tag Archives: Michael Alexander

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After a hiatus of several years, Red Sea Urchins have once again been harvested and brought to the Point Arena Pier. Michael Alexander photographed the first ones destined for sushi chefs here and in Japan that feature uni, the gonads of Red Sea Urchins.

It's not easy to harvest them. A diver will work with a partner on a boat, and stay underwater for several hours at a time collecting them. It's hard work!

These are not to be confused with the Purple Sea Urchins that have proliferated in recent years due to the Sea Stars contracting a wasting disease - Sea Stars prey on Sea Urchins. The purples, unchecked, have eaten much of the kelp, causing some Abalones to starve. Here's what they look like, photographed by Jon Loveless.

Sea Stars have recovered this year and we hope balance will return to the inter-tidal zone.

Thanks to Michael and Jon for allowing me to share their photos with  you here. We are having another lovely, warm day on the Mendonoma coast.

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That's what Michael Alexander dubbed it - a heavenly sunset.

Heavenly sunset by Michael Alexander

Michael was trying to capture a green flash, but had to settle for a heavenly sunset instead!

Karen Tracy photographed her version of a heavenly sunset several years ago.

Heavenly sunset by Karen Tracy

We are unlikely to see the sunset tonight as a gentle storm has settled over the coast.

Thanks to Michael and Karen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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On January 21st unusual clouds filled the sky. I had never seen anything like this before. Many coast residents photographed the event. These photos were taken by Don Spear,Pat Maxwell,  Michael Alexander and Shirley Mitchell respectively.

Unusual clouds by Don Spear

Unusual clouds by Pat Maxwell  Unusual clouds by Michael Alexander Unusual clouds by Shirley Mitchell

Here's what I wrote in my weekly column in the Independent Coast Observer:

Many people noticed the incredible clouds last Thursday. Justine Rosenthal’s class at Horicon School was amazed. One student said, “Look, we’re underwater!”

Michael Alexander saw them too. He wrote, “I looked up and saw these interesting cloud contours overhead. It looked almost like the surface of a very plush mattress.”

Pat Maxwell wrote, “The clouds were eerie and amazing. They reminded me of a Van Gogh painting. And for those of us who see faces in clouds, they were fascinating.”

Rick and I saw them over Gualala and we couldn’t believe our eyes. Shirley Mitchell was one of many to photograph the event. She wrote, “The clouds look like the ocean and/or sand dunes. I have never seen a sky like this. Wonders are always around us!”

Scott Gasparian knew what they were. He wrote, “They are pre-frontal strato-cumulus, with orographic forcing. In other words, the coast hills cause the waves. [There has] to be strong winds above the stratus layer to do that.”

It was an amazing sight to behold! Thanks to Pat, Don, Michael and Shirley for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The wind has shifted this afternoon and the coast cooled off. Yesterday it was an unbelievable 81 degrees at our house. We may be headed back to winter soon, but no rain in this week's forecast.

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Michael Alexander recently took this photo of Goat Rock and the Russian River. High surf is pouring over the beach into the river. Dangerous, yet so beautiful.

The mouth of the Russian River with storm-driven waves by Michael Alexander

Here is one of my favorite photos of the village of Jenner, taken by Rozann Grunig at sunset.

Sunset at Jenner on Valentine's Day by Rozann Grunig

Thanks to Michael and Rozann for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Rozann's photography, here is her website: http://highway1designs.com/

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Storms bring big surf, and when the moon is full the results can be spectacular. Michael Alexander was out exploring the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands recently and this is what he saw.

Big surf at the Stornetta Lands by Michael Alexander

When the surf is this big, mist drifts across the land. The power of the Pacific Ocean is wonderful to behold. And, of course, to respect.

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