Tag Archives: sea foam

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The Gualala River had a soft opening this year, but it quickly closed again to the Pacific Ocean, blocked by a huge sandbar. Monday afternoon the river opened with a vengeance! The first photo shows the river flowing strongly into the ocean.

Today Rick and I found two large groups of Harbor Seals, a few in the river with most at river's edge. They were looking for Steelhead, most likely.

The river had sea foam in it, as waves were cresting the sandbar.

We even saw one of the Bald Eagles! He was staring down the Turkey Vulture on the left.

Here's a short video of the wave action this morning.

Video of Gualala River 12.19.18 by Jeanne Jackson

After such a beautiful time at the river, the fog appeared as if by magic, and enveloped the coast!

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The sounds of waves hurled onto sandy beaches and against bluff faces is an autumn highlight. The Pacific Ocean is more active, presumably from storms to our north. These breakers can bring sea foam. Susan Levenson-Palmer and Jan Conlon were walking at Irish Beach when they saw what Susan described as “green foam.

Sea foam, or spume, is formed when the surf churns up organic matter in the ocean, such as dead algae. Unless there was a toxic algae bloom, sea foam is harmless and is, in fact, an indicator of a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Here's a photo of Sea foam after a big storm several years ago, taken by Margaret Lindgren. The sea foam completely filled in this cove at The Sea Ranch.

Thanks to Jan and Margaret for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are still having lovely autumn weather, though most of us would appreciate some rain.

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Saturday's waves were described as "monsters," and "the biggest I've ever seen." Janet Burch went to Del Mar Point on The Sea Ranch to photograph the action.

In coves, sea foam was created by the action of the waves, coating rocks and bluff faces.

And big rolling waves threw water and foam into the air.

It was a very dramatic day on the Mendondoma Coast. Today the storms have gone, and there is nothing but beautiful sunshine. We need to dry out a bit after all the wonderful rains.

Thanks to Janet for allowing me to share her photos with you here. One more of Janet's photos will be in Thursday's edition of the Independent Coast Observer in my column.

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Dave Shpak photographed a great example of sea foam, created during the last big storm. He found it at Manchester Beach.

Sea Foam at Mancheser Beach by Dave Shpak

It's caused by the wave action. If you took a jar and filled it with ocean water and then shook it, you would make sea foam. It's made up of organic matter, such as dead kelp. It's quite startling to see!

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

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When big swells  hit the Mendonoma several weeks ago sea foam was seen in abundance, coating rocks and beaches with the white fluffy substance. Dede Plaisted was at a local beach and this is what she saw.

Foam covers the beach by Dede PlaistedDede wondered what it would be like to wade in it at low tide.

Dede Plaisted wading in sea foam, courtesy of Dede Plaisted

Here's what she said,

“I’ve never stood in foam before. I loved it. I haven’t seen this much foam in a long time. Now all our rocks have been uncovered. They’re like old friends.”

Sea foam is formed when dissolved organic matter, including sea life and deal algae, is churned up by the wave action.

After two storms late in the week, today is sunny and cool. Perfect weather for exploring on the coast!

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