Tag Archives: Rick Denniston

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Rick and Teresa Denniston noticed this Peregrine Falcon perched in the snag usually occupied by the two resident Bald Eagles.

Two Peregrines have been seen near Arena Cove recently. We had several successful nest on the Mendonoma coast this year. Tomorrow I will show you a few photos of a Peregrine who had just fledged.

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

It's foggy, no, it's sunny, wait, it's foggy again. That's the weather report on the immediate coast. Warm, though, with very little wind. Rick and I walked at Gualala Point Regional Park late this morning with our rescue golden retriever, Duffy. Put these words to the tune "The Twelve Days of Christmas." This is what we saw.

Three bucks with antlers, Two Brown Pelicans, and an island full of many, many birds.

Gualala Point Island was nearly covered in birds today. Common Murre chicks are getting ready to fledge by leaping off the island into the ocean, following the sound of their fathers' voices. Good luck, little Murre chicks!

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Rick and Teresa Denniston had an exciting time watching a mother Deer with her Fawn at their Gualala home. Rick wrote, “We have been dealing with a lot of family drama today. This Doe and Fawn showed up two hours ago. The Fawn was very high energy, running back and forth all over the property, occasionally stopping to nurse."

“The Fawn got tired, went up to a big rock below our bedroom, curled up in the tall grass, and went to sleep. Mom must feel that the baby was safe, because she has been gone for over an hour and a half.”

Deer do leave their fawns in safe places so they can feed for themselves. Rick wrote further, “About an hour after sunset, the mom showed up and guided her baby off the property. Easiest babysitting ever!”

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

Oh my, it was hot yesterday. It reached 97 degrees at our house in Anchor Bay, about 20 degrees above normal. Early this morning the blessed fog rolled in, a 40 degree swing in temperature. Living in the coast, fog can roll in suddenly. A friend once told me, "Embrace your inner fog!" That works for me.

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Rick and Teresa Denniston were out on the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands recently. One of their sightings was this flock of Brown Pelicans migrating north just over the bluffs. Rick said Teresa, pictured on the bluff, was wishing she could fly too.

A fun photo for you on this breezy June day here on the Mendonoma coast. Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Teresa Denniston was watching for Gray Whales recently. Their southward migration is in full swing. Teresa saw this Gray Whale spyhopping, a thrilling sight.

Here is a photo her husband, Rick, took from their home overlooking the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean of another Gray Whale spyhopping.

I saw a spyhopping Gray Whale once, off of Biehler Point on The Sea Ranch. The whale was so quiet, took a quick look, and then just as quietly sank back down into the water. I almost doubted what I saw!

Thanks to Teresa and Rick for allowing me to share their photos with  you here. Their home is called Serendipity and is available as a short-term rental. You can see it at this link: http://rentals.coastinghome.com/rns/property/Serendipit.aspx

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It's very rare indeed to see a Tundra Swan in early autumn, but one arrived last Monday and has been seen at the Gualala River since then. Mel Smith reported he saw the swan today, paddling in the river.

Bob Rutemoeller was the first to spot the Tundra Swan while he was volunteering at the Gualala Bluff Trail on Monday. The Swan was preening itself while standing on the riverbank.

Rick Denniston spotted the swan too, this time swimming in the river.

I have never had a sighting before of a Tundra Swan in the Gualala River. We always hope to see these beautiful white swans in the winter when they migrate down to the Garcia River floodplain.

Here is a collage Anne Mary Schaefer took of two Tundra Swans flying by. Just look at those long necks!

And here is a photo Martin Steinpress took on 12/31/15 of three adult Tundra Swans swimming with Mallards in a creek north of Point Arena.

I hope we see more of these swans in the months to come. So far the juvenile swan seems happy to be at the Gualala River. Being at the Gualala River makes me happy too!

Thanks to Bob, Rick, Anne Mary and Martin for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Weather report! We had .66 inches of rain overnight at our house. The air is clear and smells so sweet, just the way we like it. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the healing rains.