Robert and Nancy Scarola were visited by a Gray Fox family. The mother went off to hunt for a gopher and left her three kits on a flat rock to wait for her.
She returned with a gopher in her mouth and the three kits were then free to play in the Scarola's garden. A photo of what happened next will be in Thursday's edition of the Independent Coast Observer. It shows why Gray Foxes are also called Tree Foxes!
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Robert Scarola was thrilled when this beautiful Great Blue Heron landed in a tree by his home on The Sea Ranch.
It stayed there for some time, as if waiting and watching. Then, all of a sudden, it lifted off, poetry in motion.
Sometime ago Robert photographed a heron coming in for a rather hard landing. "Brakes, brakes!"
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
The vanguard of the mother/calf Gray Whale migration has arrived. Pairs have been spotted every day this week. Paul Brewer photographed a calf breaching. There are three photos in this sequence.
Robert Scarola noticed a mother/calf pair very close to shore and got this photo of one saying "hello".
It is heartwarming to see these CA Gray Whales passing by. Look for a big spout closely followed by a smaller one. It is sure to make you smile.
Thanks to Robert and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
It's that time of year, the time for Harbor Seal pups to be born on secluded beaches. If you ever needed a reason to keep your dog on a leash, this is it. Harbor Seal moms leave their newborns on the beach to fish for themselves. The pups do not need to be "rescued." I will be sharing some photos of newborns with you soon.
Robert Scarola caught a cute photo of several seals taking a nice snooze.
Robert said they inspired him to go home and take a nap!
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Robert Scarola took this photo of the Gualala River lagoon a week ago from Gualala Point Regional Park. The river has closed to the Pacific Ocean for another extended time due to the lack of rain. Since this photo the river is even higher in the lagoon.
When the river is closed by the big sandbar, the mouth of the river is called a lagoon. When the river is open, it is an estuary. Robert's photo shows bushes beginning to bud.
On Saturday, March 21, at 9 am there will be fun, noncompetitive hike at this park. It's to benefit Meals on Wheels here on the Mendonoma Coast. It costs $30.00 a person. What do you get? A snack before the hike, a T-shirt, and lunch at the Gualala Community Center afterwards. Rick and I believe very strongly in the fine work Coastal Seniors does, and Meals on Wheels is a lifeline to people in need. We will be there Saturday with our hiking boots on. There are three different hikes, planned with the longest just a little over 3 miles. The shortest walk is only a mile. Please join us if you are on the Coast!
To learn more about Coastal Seniors, here is their website: http://www.coastalseniors.org/
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.