Tag Archives: Point Arena Lighthouse

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Lighthouse Willie, aka Bill Brown, works at the Point Arena Lighthouse. He is privileged to see a great deal of wildlife. A climb to the top of the lighthouse affords wonderful views and should be on your list of things to do when you are on the Mendonoma Coast.

During the migration northward of juvenile Brown Pelicans, one landed in front of the Lighthouse and rested for a while before taking off.

Here's hoping this young Brown Pelican found plenty of fish on its journey north and that we will see it pass by on its way southward.

Thanks to Willie Brown for sharing his photo with us here.

To see a photo of a Brown Pelican plunge diving for fish, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/07/brown-pelican-plunge-diving-then-defending-its-catch-from-two-heermanns-gulls/

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Sus Susalla is the Executive Director of the Gualala Arts Center. A few months ago the Art Center had a class called, "Introduction to Night Photography." Sus took the class and just look at the results.

What a spectacular photo! The Point Arena Lighthouse shines in the night sky. Thanks to Sus for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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The streams of Brown Pelicans headed north has diminished. The young ones that had to be rescued were successfully released last week. A juvenile landed in the garden area of the Point Arena Lighthouse several weeks ago and had itself a nice rest before flying off. Ron Bolander photographed the youngster. Does't it look like it's a bird with an attitude?

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

We love the Brown Pelicans that fly just off the bluffs as they migrate north and then back south later this year. They continue to recover from the devastating effects of the pesticide DDT, which was banned in the early 1970's. Brown Pelicans are no longer on the endangered species list, which is great news for all whose hearts beat a little faster when they see a group in graceful formation.

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Friday the 13th is said to be an unlucky day. Well, I say phooey on that! Bettye Winters got a beautiful photograph of thunderclouds forming over Manchester Beach and the Point Arena Lighthouse. Look how the sun glints off of the newly restored white Lighthouse. Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Friday also brought a spectacular sunset and I was lucky enough to capture it with my camera from my deck in Anchor Bay.

As Bettye wrote me, "Love it here!"

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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.