As I mentioned yesterday, the sandbar has once again closed the Gualala River off to the Pacific Ocean. This creates ideal kayaking conditions. Karen Tracy recently took to the water and she saw many beautiful sightings.
It looks idyllic, doesn't it?! As Karen meandered up the river, she came across at Great Blue Heron perched on a branch.
And a Western Pond Turtle sunning itself on a log - a wonderful sighting!
Thanks to Karen for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Robert Scarola took this photo of the Gualala River lagoon a week ago from Gualala Point Regional Park. The river has closed to the Pacific Ocean for another extended time due to the lack of rain. Since this photo the river is even higher in the lagoon.
When the river is closed by the big sandbar, the mouth of the river is called a lagoon. When the river is open, it is an estuary. Robert's photo shows bushes beginning to bud.
On Saturday, March 21, at 9 am there will be fun, noncompetitive hike at this park. It's to benefit Meals on Wheels here on the Mendonoma Coast. It costs $30.00 a person. What do you get? A snack before the hike, a T-shirt, and lunch at the Gualala Community Center afterwards. Rick and I believe very strongly in the fine work Coastal Seniors does, and Meals on Wheels is a lifeline to people in need. We will be there Saturday with our hiking boots on. There are three different hikes, planned with the longest just a little over 3 miles. The shortest walk is only a mile. Please join us if you are on the Coast!
To learn more about Coastal Seniors, here is their website: http://www.coastalseniors.org/
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Allen Vinson had his camera ready when a couple of CA Sea Lions decided to play in the ocean. This first photo shows a small raft of Sea Lions on the left and the two playful Sea Lions on the right.
Here are two more photos of the Sea Lions at play.
Looks pretty darn fun to me! Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Cherille Cochran photographed this double rainbow north of Anchor Bay.
A lovely sight indeed. We have some rain coming in this afternoon, which is very welcome. This morning we had lots of briny sightings. A pod of 5/6 Killer Whales was seen by many. Three Humpbacks were reported off the Gualala River. Many Gray Whales, most heading north, and lots of CA Sea Lions. What a day!
Thanks to Cherille for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
A Ling Cod watches over her eggs and protects them from predators. So how did these eggs come to be washed up on a beach? Marilyn Green photographed them, and a Gull that was feasting on them.
Above is a close up photo of the eggs.
Thanks to Marilyn for allowing me to share her photos with you here.