Tag Archives: Black Point Beach

Janet Flink wrote, "I have participated with Bonney Ely for the last three years in Snapshot Cal Coast, which is an annual  project through the California Academy of Sciences. Here is a link to their explanation of this event. https://www.calacademy.org/calcoast

"This year we went to four local beaches during the lowest tides of the year to gather data and take photos of their “most wanted species” and any other species we found interesting or rare. I focus on invertebrates and algae.  I post the photos and data to iNaturalist for verification by other experts.  These “BioBlitzes” help contribute to the knowledge of ranges of different species and especially any non-native or invasive species."

"The first is Hermissenda crassicornis, a gorgeous Nudibranch, about two inches long and found in a tide pool at Shell Beach.  This “sea slug” breathes through the feathery gills on its back, and has a very soft body.  It’s not common on our rocky shores, due to the heavy wave action."

This nudibranch's common name is Thick-horned Nudibranch. fyi, nudibranch is pronounced "nudibrank," Why? I dunno. Back to Janet's great sightings.

She wrote, "The second is our locally common sea star, Pisaser ochraceus, from Black Point Beach.   I just found the voluptuous pose of this one to be comical!"

These Stars, which come in various colors, are called Ochre Sea Stars. They used to be called Starfish, but they aren't fish!

Janet continues, "The third photo, taken last year at Shell beach depicts two stunningly beautiful pastel-colored Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) from different colonies fighting for territory underwater."

"They do this with special club-like white tipped tentacles that shoot barbs at the enemy.  You can see the white clubs of the individual on the left, which has turned itself sideways, attacking the one on the right, which looks as if it is cowering and pulling away even as it’s beginning to brandish it’s own clubs.  Toward the bottom of the sideways one, you can see a club from the one on the right“landing a punch”!"

How amazing to see and learn more about these fascinating inhabitants of the intertidal zone. Thanks to Janet for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

Another toasty warm day, with high clouds streaming in. In Point Arena yesterday, those closer to the ocean never saw the sun, but today the sun broke through the fog mid-morning.

Mirka Knaster found this double waterfall at Black Point Beach on The Sea Ranch.

I found a pretty one at the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands a few days ago. I'll share that one soon.

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

The day started off calm but the winds picked up this afternoon. It's sunny and cool. Rain moving in tomorrow night. What a rainy season we've been having!

Allen Vinson timed it just right to catch the morning sunbeams at Black Point Beach on The Sea Ranch.

An award winning (or should be) photo!

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

It's sunny, breezy and mild on the Mendonoma Coast today - feels like Autumn!

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I never take seeing a rainbow for granted. They bring delight every time. Irene and Rolf Fandrey photographed this one in Anchor Bay with a Common Raven flying by.

This one was photographed by Christopher Arnold off of Black Point Beach, Sea Ranch.

Thanks to the Fandreys and Christopher for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Today, after a pretty darn big rainstorm, we have sunny, mild weather. More rain for tomorrow. Bring it on, Mother Nature!

 

 

A few weeks ago there was a nice minus-tide in the early morning hours. Bill and his wife, Lonna, headed for Black Point Beach, a spectacular beach at The Sea Ranch. They found the usually inaccessible north end accessible for a short while. What they found were Sea Stars, hundreds and hundreds of healthy Stars.

And look at all those mussels!

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

There is fog over the ocean again today looking like whipped cream, but we are above the fog line at our place in Anchor Bay. It's cooler today, which I'll take any day over the inland heat!