Sightings

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Cathleen Crosby recently photographed the Gualala River -  it now sports a greenish tinge.

The river is still closed to the Pacific Ocean by the large sandbar and it has turned a beautiful green. I’ve learned from fly fisherman Charlie Ivor that this is called “Steelhead green,” and it means conditions for finding fish in the river can be excellent. Phytoplankton, single cell algae, along with a small amount of suspended mineral sediment, are turning the river water green. It’s very beneficial, helping to feed fish and other river inhabitants.

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

We are waiting for a pretty good-sized storm which is supposed to begin around 4 pm. We'll take it! I'll report soon on the rain totals. I'll also be watching to see if this storm opens the river to the ocean. TBD!

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Ron Bolander noticed this Bobcat sitting in the sun.

And then the cat with the bobbed tail heard something.

The Bobcat stealthily approached a gopher hole.

And then, he/she put its head in the gopher hole.

 

And drug out a very large gopher. Poor gopher! But this is the food chain in action. The Bobcat then took his meal off into the bushes.

Did you know a Bobcat's markings, the spots and lines of its coat, are unique to each animal? Just like our fingerprints.

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share these actions photos with you here.

It's a little cooler today, especially close to the ocean, and a breeze has picked up. Sunny skies are the order of the day. Happy Spring!

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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Northern Mockingbird here on the Mendonoma Coast. We don't see Mockingbirds very often on the coast.

Before Rick and I moved here 26 years ago, we lived in Walnut Creek. We regularly had a male Mockingbird in the spring singing his myriad of songs to attract a mate. I was sad that they weren't residents of the coast. But maybe they might be expanding their territory? Time will tell!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Today on the coast is nothing short of spectacular - bright blue skies, a gentle breeze and temps in the mid-70s. I know it won't last, but it sure feels good for today!

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Mary Sue Ittner found Footsteps of Spring, Sanicula arctopoides, blooming on coastal bluffs recently, especially at Salt Point State Park.

Here's a photo Mary Sue took of her friends at the park, hiking through the yellow wildflowers.

And look at those blue skies - they had a perfect morning for their hike.

Thanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

After Saturday morning's early rain (.15 inch), Sunday is clear and quite windy. The ocean looks like a whirlpool bath according to whale researcher, Shari Goforth-Eby. Hard to see whale spouts with all those whitecaps. Happy first day of Spring if you are in the Northern Hemisphere!

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Maria Wilson took a three minute video of many dolphins last Saturday. Maria wrote, “I took this Saturday morning. It finishes with a whale joining the gang! We live near Iversen Point [north of Gualala] and this was just outside Island Cove.” I sent Maria’s video to Bill Keener of the Marine Mammal Center. He wrote, “Cool video of a large group of Risso’s Dolphins. And that looks like a Gray Whale surfacing near the end of the clip.”

In the video you will see a few of the dolphins breaching. Here is a photo Craig Tooley took of Risso's Dolphins a while ago.

They are known for traveling in big pods - they must like each other's company!

Thanks to Maria for allowing me to share her video and to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's a beautiful day, breezy and mild. We received .60 inches of rain Monday night, which was wonderful. 37.50 inches season to date at my place. 50 inches is a "normal" rainfall year.