Sightings

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Manchester Beach is a great place to beachcomb as interesting things get tossed up by the wave action. But what Doug Forsell found was quite a surprise - a coconut!

Doug Forsell wrote, , “I had a couple of interesting finds on Manchester Beach this week. The high surf and wind blew a lot of Jellyfish in, and the high surf tore them into small pieces. I also found a coconut without a husk. Usually at sea the husk stays on, but maybe the surf knocked it off. It still had liquid in it. I wonder how long it was at sea, and where it came from.”

It's a mystery! The California Current brings treasures from halfway around the world - even a coconut.

Thanks to Doug for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To learn more about Manchester State Park, here is the link: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=437

 

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Beverley Fagundes wrote, "I had brought my golden retriever, Sadie, home from our walk to find this lovely Northern Pygmy Owl waiting to greet us on the porch."

"These owls are only six inches tall, and so lovely. He wasn’t bothered about me getting close to him, so I was a little concerned that he could be injured. He was very obliging and stepped onto my finger, so I could look at him over. Then he flew away. What a relief, no injuries or broken wings, just an amazing experience!”

To have an owl calmly step on your finger is wonderful. What a great nature moment!

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

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Monique Cooper spotted this Bobcat hunting near her home. She wrote, “My husband, Paul, and I spotted this Bobcat at home midday. I read Bobcats are nocturnal, and it seemed odd to see it in broad daylight. We watched him/her hunt for about an hour or so. Although the hunt was unsuccessful, it was very entertaining to watch the stalking and leaping onto whatever was supposed to be a meal.”

Bobcats hunt for rodents in grassy meadows, and as I wrote in the title line, they are often seen in the daylight hours here on the coast.

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

We are having a sunny, breezy day, washed clean from yesterday's rain.

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Paul Brewer photographed this Red-shouldered Hawk recently. It sure looks wet!

A moment later, the hawk shook off and Paul captured it.

You can see the raindrops flying off the hawk.  If this hawk is out this afternoon, he/she is getting wet again as it's raining!

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

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It looks like the mated pair of Bald Eagles is back at the Gualala River. Gail Jackson recently photographed them.

It looks like the smaller male is perched on the higher branch. Below you will see a photo taken by Jim Garlock. The Bald Eagle could be perched on the same tree branch as in Gail's photo.

 

Seve Cardosi was surprised when she saw a Bald Eagle snatch a Western Gull out of the air and proceed to eat it. Again, this was by the Gualala River.

We hope they will build a nest in the watershed of the Gualala River this year.

Thanks to Gail, Jim and Seve for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We have a rainstorm coming in late tonight!