Sightings

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With the big, wet winter we've been having, erosion of coastal bluffs is bound to happen. A sinkhole appeared on the north side of the PA Lighthouse.

Here's what Mark Hancock, Executive Director of the Point Arena Lighthouse, had to report:

“After our big week of rains, the sinkhole on the Gazebo Peninsula at the Point Arena Light Station has enlarged significantly. Now measuring 16 feet by 16 feet, the western edge lost about two feet, which left two of the fence posts hanging in midair.

“Justin York and I removed that section of fence so as not to have it fall into the sinkhole. As we were working on it, some chunks of topsoil on the eastern edge fell off into the hole. The bottom of the sinkhole is also open to the ocean, so we may start having a blowhole soon!”

Common sense says to keep a safe distance back from this active area. It's always smart to stay back from cliff edges.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To learn more about our favorite Lighthouse, including lodging, here is their link: http://pointarenalighthouse.com/

Here is one of my favorite photos of the Point Arena Lighthouse taken two years ago by Satori Ivy. I've shared this previously but I'm happy to share it again. Thanks to Satori for allowing me to do so.

We are having another rainy day - downpours interspersed with a little sun, with temperatures in the mid 40's...brrrr!

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June Wilson had a Hermit Thrush visit her place at The Sea Ranch for a while. She took this photo of the songbird.

Hermit Thrushes have a lovely song. You can hear it at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/sounds

Hermit Thrushes often can be seen foraging on the ground for insects or berries.

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

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On Tuesday, Craig Tooley and Shirley Mitchell, each took walks before more rain arrived. They each found Calypso Orchids, Calypso bulbosa, up. They are quite small, so it feels like you've found treasure if you spot them. Craig found a particularly large group of these orchids.

Each Calypso Orchid has one leaf which lays flat on the forest floor. Shirley managed to get a nice closeup of one. Since they are so tiny, they are hard to photograph, but Shirley manged it!

These native wildflowers grow in undisturbed forests. They are also called Fairy Slippers or Venus's slipper. Consider yourself lucky if you come across one or more of these beauties while on a forest walk.

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

We had a lot of rain overnight and it's showering today. We went over 50 inches season to date at our place in Anchor Bay, for which we are thankful!

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Richard Custer photographed this Arboreal Salamander, Aneides Lugubris, sauntering across his deck in Anchor Bay. It's the first sighting of one since I've been writing my Mendonoma Sightings column in the Independent Coast Observer - over 12 years!

I queried Gary Nafis, the owner of the fabulous website http://www.californiaherps.com/

He confirmed the ID and expressed surprise it was found this far north. The little salamander looks very determined as he/she moves across Richard's deck! Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We have a break between storms today - a chance to dry out a bit.

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Mushrooms are quite beautiful, coming in so many colors and shapes. Craig Tooley photographed a Scarlet Waxy Cap. I've seen a bunch coming up on the forest floor. I think of them as flowers in the forest.

Craig also photographed a mature Parrot Waxy Cap. They have a green top when young.

Shirley Mitchell photographed some white Coral Mushrooms.

And Martin Steinpress found a group of two delicious edibles, Hedgehog Mushrooms and Black Trumpets.

Winter Chanterelles are also up in good numbers now. Gifts from the forest!

Thanks to Craig, Shirley and Martin for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having a mild day - 60 degrees - with no wind. Our walk with our golden retriever, Duffy, at Gualala Point Regional Park today was wonderful. Gray Whale spouts could be seen in the calm ocean; these grays are headed north now. Big waves were crashing onto the beach. And there were surfers outside the mouth of the Gualala River, something you don't see very often.