Tag Archives: River Otter

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Jeff Goll was at Navarro Beach yesterday, April 5th. There was a high surf advisory and the conditions didn't disappoint. You can almost hear the action by looking at Jeff's photos.

Jeff told me the Navarro River is currently blocked from flowing into the ocean by the big sandbar. So this River Otter had to hotfoot it over the sandbar to reach the ocean.

North American River Otters can navigate on land, in rivers and in oceans. Once a River Otter was seen crossing Highway One in Gualala! They are great climbers and can easily climb up a bluff face. They cannot abide pollution so their presence is a good sign for the health of the Mendonoma Coast's rivers and creeks.

Thanks to Jeff for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Jeff's nature photography, here is his website: http://jeffgoll.com/

The wind has disappeared and the ocean is calm today. Warm weather is predicted for the next few days. Head for the coast! Bonus sighting: the first mother/calf Gray Whale pair was seen a few days ago off the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula by Scott and Tree Mercer.

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Karen Wilkinson heard a River Otter pup calling for its mother. When Karen carefully scooted over to the bluff edge to take a look, this River Otter looked back up at her.

What do you think this little one is saying to Karen?

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

Another foggy day, though the fog is high this afternoon, and 62 degrees. It's calming!

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Eric Zetterholm noticed this River Otter fishing in the very full and muddy Gualala River.

There is a family of River Otters that lives in and alongside the estuary of the Gualala River. The family is comprised of a mother otter and her offspring. The male otter does his part impregnating the female but then he leaves. Deadbeat dad! River Otters can't tolerate pollution, so their presence is a testament to the clean waters of the Mendonoma coast.

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

We are having breezy, sunny weather today, without a cloud to be seen.

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Members of the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians are trying to have the Garcia River renamed to the original Pomo name, which is P'da Hau. Since Rafael Garcia had a land grant in the mid-1800s and didn't even stay in the area long, it seems like a good idea to give the river back its original name. Rick and I were recently out on the northern portion of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and looked down from the bluff on the P'da Hau, watching it flow out into the ocean. Manchester Beach is to the north of the river.

Looking up river, we saw a River Otter come out of the river.

The Otter then proceeded to roll in the sand! Perhaps it was taking a sand bath.

After rolling several times, the River Otter headed back to the river, as if to say, "Okay, I'm done."

We also saw a family of Canada Geese, with young goslings, strolling alongside the river bank.

There is always something to see here on the Mendonoma coast!

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Bob Hathaway photographed the scene. He wrote, “While out photographing a boring Western gull, I was treated to quite a show by a visiting River otter. Here is a photo of the two sharing a rock while the otter enjoys breakfast. The otter was harassed by two Ravens and a Turkey vulture looking for a free meal. All the while the gull minded his own business and never departed his post.”

Breakfast at Ohlson Beach - a River Otter and a Western Gull by Bob HathawayRiver otters can't abide pollution, so it's a testament to the clean waters of our rivers and the Pacific Ocean that they live here. Western gulls are also year round residents of the Mendonoma coast.

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