Gail Jackson (no relation) was out on the bluffs with her camera, and she got some wonderful photos of Harbor Seals doing what they do best - lounging around with smiles on their faces. The sun must feel good to them after all the rain we've had.
Here are some more looks at Harbor Seal bliss.
Thanks to Gail for allowing me to share her fun photos with you here.
Last night's storm was surprisingly fierce! We just soared past 52 inches season to date.
We took a walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail this morning, marveling at the big surf. The skies are blue and the Gualala River is flowing out to sea.
The forecast calls for lots of rain, but you couldn't tell by today!
Last Thursday the Gualala River was muddy and much higher due to storms.
Harbor Seals and Gulls at the Gualala River by Jeanne Jackson
Here is a short video. There were nearly 100 Harbor Seals hauled out on the sandbar. There were also many Gulls, some in the river washing themselves. Others were drying out on the sand. It was fun to watch the Gulls being drawn closer to the river mouth and then flying up and back into the river to be carried along by the current once again.
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!
Harbor Seal pups are being born on secluded beaches. While the mothers are busy with their sweet pups, it looks like the males were hanging out together at Gualala Point Regional Park.
Mark Hancock wrote, “Laverne and I went for a hike, hoping to see the Bald eagles – we didn’t, Gray Whales – we did, and walk the beach to the river mouth.
“We were delighted to see 40 Harbor Seals hauled out on the north end of the river mouth, or in the river itself, so we laid out our picnic on the south bank and watched the seals. One of the bigger ones was unhappy that ‘his’ spot was occupied, and he chased the occupant away and into the river.
“We were particularly amused by how the Harbor Seals raised their head and tails when the waves came over the top of the beach and flowed down through where they were laid out.”
Here's two favorite photos of Harbor Seals, both taken by Robert Scarola a few years ago. The first shows a seal managing not to get swept off the rock by the surf. The second shows what bliss it is to be on the Mendonoma coast!
Thanks to Mark and Robert for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Chris Beach photographed the action at the mouth of the Gualala River recently. A small group of Harbor Seals had a big Steelhead. One of the two mated Bald Eagles seen at the river tried to steal it away.
The Bald Eagle was not successful...this time!
Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photo with you here.