Sightings

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Craig Tooley noticed this heart made out of rocks in the Gualala River, a sweet sighting.

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

The fog has been pushed back over the Pacific Ocean and the sun reappeared. With a heat wave forecast for inland areas, the Mendonoma Coast will surely be the place to escape the heat. Masks and social distancing are the order of the day, along with enjoying the beauty of the coast.

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Eric Zetterholm noticed this Gray Whale feeding just off of the beach at Gualala Point Regional Park.

That whale is certainly quite close to shore! We believe this is one of the younger Gray Whales that didn't migrate to points north. This whale and others are finding enough food off the Mendonoma Coast, a wonderful development.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Foggy and mild on the coast today.

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Long-billed Curlews are shorebirds with a very long, curved bill. I think they are quite elegant. We occasionally see non-breeders on the Mendonoma. Craig Tooley photographed a juvenile in flight today - his Pic O Joy. Just look at that beak!

Long-billed Curlews are North American's largest shorebird.

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

Fog on the coast, sunny just a bit off the coast. Must be August or as some locals call it, Fogust!

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Allen Vinson photographed an Osprey with its catch of the day, a fish! The Osprey looks very intent, don't  you agree?

Steve Woolson photographed an Osprey flying near Salal Creek on another sunny day. You can tell it was windy by the white caps on the ocean.

Ospreys usually stay on the Mendonoma Coast until the first of autumn. Then they leave, migrating far to our south. One or two have been known to stay here and overwinter, rather than migrate. We'll have to see if that happens this year.

Thanks to Allen and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with  you here.

Foggy coast-side, sunny when you move a bit inland, and quite mild. No smoke smell, but the sunlight has a red tinge to it, so some smoke particles are here.

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This is something you don't see very often, if at all. But here is photographic evidence, this time by Lloyd Kreuser. He saw a Western Scrub Jay perched on the back of a fawn. If you look closely, you can see the jay has some of the fawn's hair in its beak.

Last month Eric Zetterholm photographed a Cowbird on the back of a Doe. You can view that post at this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2020/07/19/eric-zetterholm-photographed-a-hitchhiking-bird-a-rare-photo/

Thanks to Lloyd for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Early morning fog has given way to brilliant sunshine. No smoke from the wildfires and I'm happy to tell you that Highway One to our south has reopened.