Tag Archives: The Sea Ranch

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On Monday a pod of perhaps twenty Killer Whales was spotted off Point Arena. Emails and telephone calls ensued as we tried to photograph the pod. They were several miles out, however, and moving FAST. Dean Schuler got this photograph from The Sea Ranch.

 It was fun following them down the coast. Unfortunately for Dean, a fishing boat saw this pod and headed towards them. The pod then dove and disappeared from view.

Though this photo was not taken off the Mendonoma Coast, I thought you'd enjoy seeing this close up that Tom Eckles took from a 12 person inflatable boat in the San Juan Islands. It looks like a male with the very tall dorsal fin and a female with the smaller, curved dorsal fin.

Thanks to Dean and Tom for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Tom's photography, here's his website: tomeckles.com

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Burrowing Owls are a rare sighting on the Mendonoma Coast. Ron LeValley recently photographed one at MacKerricher State Park. Here's what Ron had to say about his sighting: "My gallery partner Ken called and told me about this Burrowing Owl hanging out near the old Haul Road just south of Ward Avenue in the state park. These birds mostly live in the Central Valley but a few winter on the north coast each year. These are only about 8 inches tall, but they stand taller!"

 Tim Moulton photographed a young one at The Sea Ranch several years ago.

To hear the call of this special Owl, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/id

To see much more of Ron's wildlife photography, here's the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Young Hannah Bonfils was hiking a trail at The Sea Ranch with her parents. She photographed several wild mushrooms. The first is the distinctive Fly Amanita, Amanita muscaria.

And the second photo, I believe, shows young Turkey Tails.

Here's what Hannah wrote: “I’m thirteen years old. My family and I were walking through a trail in Sea Ranch and noticed some magnificent-looking mushrooms. I took some great pictures of them.  After seeing these pictures, I think many people will be interested in looking at the mushrooms in their area.”

Thanks to Hannah for allowing me to share her photos with you here. She shows a lot of talent with a camera and I hope she will share more of her nature photos with us.

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The soft pastels of a Mendonoma sunrise, constantly changing and always mesmerizing, can start your day off right. Carolyn André photographed Thursday's sunrise from her home at The Sea Ranch.

Add a cup of coffee or tea and you have the perfect start to the day. Thanks to Carolyn for allowing me to share her photos with  you here.

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The highest tides and the lowest tides occur when the moon is full or when it's new. We had a full moon this week and a high tide mid-morning. Rick and I had breakfast at The Lodge at The Sea Ranch followed by a hike out to the bluffs. Huckleberry, our golden retriever, accompanied us on the hike. What we found was a turbulent sea, crashing waves and a feeling of excitement the churning Pacific Ocean brings to those who stop to admire its beauty.

 Below the waves have receded for a moment, revealing the rocks just offshore.

And this is a photo looking to the south. It's a bit washed out due to the brilliant sunshine but it shows you the waves crashing up against the bluffs. Imagine what it must sound like to those who live right on the edge.

The mesmerizing Pacific Ocean - I will never tire of its many moods.

My best to you today! Jeanne