To see sunbeams peaking through storm clouds and shining on the ocean is always a treat. Bettye Winters recently photographed this phenomenon, which some call God's rays.
This doesn't happen very often so it is wonderful to see.
Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Don Spear photographed this beautiful sunrise here on the Mendonoma Coast.
It almost looks like a scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind!
Thanks to Don for allowing me to share this photo with you here.
I love the common name of this mushroom - Strawberries and Cream. Its scientific name is Hydnellum peckii and it is also called Bleeding Hydnellum. Ken Browning and Anne Little came across one recently.
Ken photographed a young one, as it is white. The red beads on top are seen in moist weather. It is inedible but certainly unique and lovely to observe in the forest.
Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
We have had two sightings of Bald Eagles. Randy Burke sent in this sighting from a week ago Sunday. He wrote, “Nathan Becker from Napa captured this Bald Eagle while hiking around the campgrounds of [Gualala Point Regional Park]. Nathan and his friend Xavier are active bird enthusiasts, and thought the photographic capture of the eagle to be a highlight of their day out.”
Nathan’s photo shows an adult. Teresa Denniston spotted a juvenile near her home in Gualala.
We are hoping a mated pair will build a nest here on the Mendonoma Coast. The welcome mat is out!
Thanks to Nathan for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
A big storm is hitting the coast this afternoon. More rain is just what the doctor ordered!
A friend called to say the Gualala River had opened this morning. Rick and I hurried down to see the action. It was low tide and the river was pouring through the opening with great force.
The sound was incredible too. Many people were on the Gualala Bluff Trail to watch this phenomenon, which is where I took these photos.
You can see the opening is a little wider, as the sandbar continues to crumble under the force of the river. Then we couldn't believe our eyes - a couple with a dog walked out on the sandbar.
As we watched with great concern, the woman walked all the way to the edge of the breach to take photos.
Those of us watching yelled and gestured but the sound of the river was too great. Finally someone walked out and convinced them to back off a bit. Not smart...not smart at all!
Here is a photo of the breach thirty minutes later.
Young Steelhead, which were trapped in luxury during the summer and early autumn, were swept into the ocean. Once the river stabilizes, adult Steelhead will make their way into the river.
The wild Gualala River is a treasure beyond compare!