The two Bald Eagles, presumably the two who were here last winter and spring, have returned. Mike Wilson photographed one recently by the Gualala River.

We hope this coming year that they will build a nest and start a family right here in Gualala. Bald Eagles are expanding their territory northward along the coast. In Jenner, a mated pair raised a chick last spring. A Bald Eagle has been seen to our north near Little River. It's thrilling to see them here again. Their numbers were decimated by the chemical DDT, which made the shells of their eggs so thin that they broke when the mother sat on them. With the phase out of DDT in 1972, eagles, brown pelicans, peregrine falcons and ospreys began their recovery. It took decades, but their numbers have increased. We are privileged to see all of these birds here on the Mendonoma coast.

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

Our skies are blue today as the smoke from the Butte County fires is going south of us. The first blue skies we've seen since one week ago.