Tag Archives: Point Arena – Stornetta Lands

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I'll let Beth Kattleman tell the story as she explored the southern entrance to the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.

“I snapped this photo while walking along a bluff trail. It was the first time I had accessed this trail. Absolutely gorgeous. To the south is the Point Arena Pier, and northward leads to the Lighthouse.

View from the southern end of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands by Beth Kattleman

“As I was walking I was watching a surfer try to catch some waves. He was unsuccessful and I moved along. THIS view stopped me dead in my tracks!  My husband and I often comment that everywhere you turn, prepared to be dazzled. Even views from the trails we frequently visit seem different from the day before, whether it’s the lighting, the changing sky, the wildness of the waves, the progression of seasons – it never gets old. I love it so much here.”

The southern entrance to the Lands is found behind Point Arena City Hall.

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

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Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, blooms in sunny grassy spots on the Mendonoma coast. Mary Sue Ittner found it blooming on the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands recently.

Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris, by Mary Sue IttnerIts common name refers to its medicinal qualities. It is said to help heal cuts and inflammation.

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

 

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On a recent walk at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands, Bob Rutemoeller found several native wildflowers in bloom. The first is Goldfields, Lasthenia californica, a member of the Sunflower family. This wildflower can bloom in big carpets of yellow on coastal bluffs.

Goldfields, Lasthenia california, by Bob RutemoellerNext is Earth Brodiaea, also called Ground Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. It's a member of the Lily family.

Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris, by Bob RutemoellerAnd last is Coast Onion, also called Wild Onion, Allium dichlamydeum, another member of the Lily family.

Coast Onion, Allium dichlamydeum, by Bob RutemoellerThanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photos with you here. This has been a wonderful spring for native wildflowers!

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Mary Sue Ittner was out with the Thursday Ramblers, a weekly hiking group. Last Thursday they went to the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Here are some of Mary Sue's discoveries. The first is Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia. The narrow leaves are said to be edible and it's a member of the Sunflower family.

Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia, by Mary Sue IttnerNext is Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. It's a member of the Sunflower family, and its bloom is fragrant. It is purported to have medicinal qualities.

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, by Mary Sue IttnerAnd finally Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. A member of the Lily family, it is also called Ground Brodiaea.

Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris, by Mary Sue IttnerThanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Michael Beattie noticed this pair of Canada geese on a 40 foot tall rocky pinnacle off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. The Point Arena Lighthouse is in the distance.

Canada geese nesting off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands by Michael Beattie Nesting Canada Goose by Michael Beattie

Michael watched the nest and, sure enough, there was a successful hatch of cute little goslings.

Canada geese goslings by Michael Beattie

It wasn't long before one of the parents was demonstrating to the goslings what they should do - "fly" down to the water.

Follow me - a Canada goose showing its offspring the way to the water by Michael Beattie

The other parent urges them on from behind. Bird expert, Diane Hichwa, says they should have been able to make it safely to the water. The little ones are so light, perhaps they just floated down!

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here, thus showing you this wildlife story.