Mark Hancock heard on a radio interview on KGUA that I was looking forward to seeing Baby Blue Eyes, a native wildflower. He sent this photo, saying they are blooming in profusion at the Lighthouse.
Here's a closer look at one of these beautiful wildflowers, this photo was taken by Mary Sue Ittner.
Thanks to Mark and Mary Sue for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
With the big, wet winter we've been having, erosion of coastal bluffs is bound to happen. A sinkhole appeared on the north side of the PA Lighthouse.
Here's what Mark Hancock, Executive Director of the Point Arena Lighthouse, had to report:
“After our big week of rains, the sinkhole on the Gazebo Peninsula at the Point Arena Light Station has enlarged significantly. Now measuring 16 feet by 16 feet, the western edge lost about two feet, which left two of the fence posts hanging in midair.
“Justin York and I removed that section of fence so as not to have it fall into the sinkhole. As we were working on it, some chunks of topsoil on the eastern edge fell off into the hole. The bottom of the sinkhole is also open to the ocean, so we may start having a blowhole soon!”
Common sense says to keep a safe distance back from this active area. It's always smart to stay back from cliff edges.
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To learn more about our favorite Lighthouse, including lodging, here is their link: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/
Here is one of my favorite photos of the Point Arena Lighthouse taken two years ago by Satori Ivy. I've shared this previously but I'm happy to share it again. Thanks to Satori for allowing me to do so.
We are having another rainy day - downpours interspersed with a little sun, with temperatures in the mid 40's...brrrr!
Dennis Latona was staying at one of the vacation rentals at the Point Arena Lighthouse when his wife looked out the window and saw a Long-tailed Weasel head poking up from its burrow opening. Dennis captured several photos.
I was asked by the Press Democrat to do a feature article on this amazing animal. Two Sonoma photographers, Joan Bacci and Steve Pearce, had learned of a Long-tailed Weasel burrow near Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol. They shared some of their great photos with me for the article and for this post. This photo by Steve Pearce shows the black tip on their tail.
Joan Bacci captured this weasel yawning to start the day - that's quite a pink tongue the weasel has.
Steve Pearce's photo below shows the slim build of this critter. That allows them to dive into burrows of smaller animals.
Joan Bacci photographed one of the weasels looking out of a burrow opening.
Here is the link to my article in the Press Democrat. There are five other photos by Dennis, Joan and Steve to go along with the article. https://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/8643471-181/cute-cunning-long-tailed-weasels-thrive?artslide=1
Thanks to Dennis, Joan and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with you here and with the Press Democrat! You can see more of Dennis' nature photography at this link: http://www.pinenutz.com/
When the fog rolls in, as it often does in the summer, the Point Arena Lighthouse takes on a different, softer look. Dennis Latona recently photographed the tall lighthouse shrouded in fog.
To learn more about the Point Arena Lighthouse, here is the link to their website: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/
Thanks to Dennis for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Dennis' nature photography, here is his website: http://www.pinenutz.com/
The Point Arena Lighthouse has a feline Guest Relations Manager and Rodent Control Specialist named Arena Mina, according to Lighthouse Executive Director Mark Hancock. He wrote, “Arena Mina was lounging in her office doorway when a Great Blue Heron landed in the field outside and proceeded to start hunting gophers. ‘That’s actually one of my jobs, but there are enough to go around out there,’ Mina said.'
Mina continues, ‘In any event, after one failed attempt, the heron strolled away towards the Lighthouse and ultimately out beyond the fence-line to the bluff where it was finally successful. One less for me!’”
It's nice to know there is no competition between Arena Mina and that hard-working Great Blue Heron! Thanks to Mark for the cute story and for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
The Point Arena Lighthouse and surround grounds, plus the Point Arena-Stornetta Land abutting it, is one of my favorite places on the coast. Here is a link to learn more about our favorite lighthouse: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/