Sometimes the pure loveliness of seeing a Great Egret land near you can fill you with happiness. Rick Denniston recently witnessed such a sight.
Great Egrets are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
Other year round residents are Great Blue Herons. Sara Bogard recently photographed one just taking flight.
Thanks to Rick and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Sunny, breezy and warm here today. Hot weather coming in for a few days.
Shari GoForth-Eby noticed a group of California Sea Lions off of Gualala Point Beach from the Gualala Bluff Trail.
Rick Denniston witnessed this too.
But there is an interesting story here, told by Scott Mercer.
Scott wrote, “We heard from Shari Goforth-Eby of an unusual sight by the Gualala Bluff Trail. We arrived and saw 15 or more chatty California Sea Lions perched on a large object, and drifting with the strong wind. They were right along the edge of the beach managing to stay off the beach. After much looking and guessing we all finally agreed that the object was not a dead whale [whew] and was not a tree, or a log, but a raft of kelp. At one point the group and their raft had drifted north and out of our sight. To our amazement, and amusement, the Sea Lions came swimming rapidly back along the beach barking loudly, not alone, but bringing their kelp raft along with them.”
Sea Lions feed on invertebrates that live in kelp forests. They form rafts for several reasons -to rest together, and for thermoregulation. They lift their flippers out of the water and have the sun warm them up. I have never heard of them bringing a patch of kelp with them. That’s wonderful to know!
Thanks to Shari and Rick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
oh my, we are having a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast. Big swells are evident on the Pacific Ocean and the waves are crashing. Temps in the mid 60's - a fine winter day.
Sometimes you look out your window and find someone looking back up at you! Rick Denniston photographed this young Gray Fox visiting his property in Gualala.
The wildlife we are privileged to see here on the Mendonoma Coast can bring wonder and joy into your life.
Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Hot, dry, scary weather is happening now. We have been notified that our power may be shut off beginning Saturday night. Want to join me in a rain dance?
Rick and Teresa Denniston have a beautiful home overlooking the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean. They named it Seredipidity and it's available to rent. When they come up to stay for a while, intending to work on the house, the great wildlife sightings distract them! First, they saw several Gray Whales. Here's a photo showing the back of one of them.
Then they were distracted by this lovely Doe and a young Buck looking up at them.
Finally, they were charmed by the sight of a family of California Quail, including four of the chicks.
Hard to get work done, that is for sure!
Thanks to Teresa and Rick for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see Serendipity, here is the link: https://rentals.coastinghome.com/rns/vacation-rental/gualala/ca/serendipit
Our heat wave is over, thank goodness. The fog returned and burned off at the coast by noon. ahhh....
Rick and Teresa Denniston were treated to great looks of the Bald Eagle pair recently.
The female is the larger eagle. We are hoping they will nest in the watershed of the Gualala River this coming year.
Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.