Tag Archives: Point Arena Pier

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We had such a strange weather year with hardly any rain until February. Al, the Laysan Albatross, usually arrives in November or December, often after a big storm. Since we had no big storm in those months, perhaps that is why Al did not return to the waters off the Point Arena Pier.

Laysan Albatrosses generally do not come near land. We've been fortunate to have Al [or Alice, we don't really know] visit and birders from around the country come to see him. Here is a photo of this unique bird taken by John Batchelder.

Al, the Laysan Albatross, by John Batchelder

We hope this was an anomaly and that our favorite Albatross will return in November or December. The last time Al was here, he arrived on Dec. 22, 2012 and left on March 7, 2013. Previous arrival dates were Dec. 5, 2011, Nov. 22, 2010, and Nov. 18, 2009. I have records going back to 1994.

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

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A few weeks ago the salmon fishing was fantastic. Big salmon are still being caught but the pace has slowed down. Carolyn André was at the Point Arena Pier during the fishing bonanza. There are a lot of boats - big and small - fishing off Arena Cove.

You can see people fishing right off the pier. No license is required to fish here but people do have to abide by Fish and Wildlife rules. Boats have to be hoisted down from the pier and that created quite a wait during the salmon run.

 Below is a view of the cove to the south.

Today there is a big Seafood Festival at the pier. It's quite a fun event and, yes, there is fresh seafood cooked while you wait. I'll stand in line for their fish tacos!

Thanks to Carolyn for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Connor Angwin was visiting home recently and found this young Sea Lion in the tide pools at Arena Cove in Point Arena.

Here's what Connor wrote, “Last time I was back home I was at the Point Arena Pier taking some pictures and came across this young Sea Lion taking a dip in the tide pools. I ended up taking a bunch of pictures, but this is my favorite. Living in Los Angeles for the past ten years, I appreciate growing up in Gualala on the north coast that much more.”

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

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Beth and Jeff Petit were down near the pier in Point Arena in the late afternoon on Feb. 10th. After a long absence Point Arena's most famous visitor soared in from the southwest and landed in his favorite spot on the north side of the pier. Beth got this photo of Al, the Laysan Albatross, coming in for his most welcomed return.

Beth said everybody down at the pier cheered Al's return. Below is a close-up photo, which was taken by John Batchelder. Al...or Alice, we don't really know...is one handsome bird.

Thanks to Beth and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Today we celebrate Valentine's Day and the Mendonoma Coast couldn't be any lovelier. It's warm and there is no wind. In between storms in the winter is one of the best times to be here.

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Brown Pelicans are headed south and some of the males are in breeding plumage. Shirley Arora photographed one such Brown Pelican down by the Point Arena Pier.

To hear the call of this bird, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/id

Thanks to Shirley for allowing me to share her photo with you here.