Sightings

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There is a beautiful waterfall at Stengel Beach, which you can reach using the public access trail on The Sea Ranch. Allen Vinson recently photographed it.

stengel-beach-waterfall-by-allen-vinson

To learn more about the Stengel Beach access, here is the link to Sonoma County Regional Parks: http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Get_Outdoors/Parks/Stengel_Beach_Sea_Ranch_Access_Trail.aspx

Our sunny days, as seen in Allen's photo, look to be over, as cold and cloudy weather has arrived. And more rain is headed our way too.

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

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There have been two sightings of a Barred Owl in the past couple of weeks. They look very similar to Spotted Owls. Allen Francis photographed this owl.

barred-owl-by-allen-francisAnd Lita Gitt took this photo last week. Lita said the owl stayed perched there for fifteen minutes, while she even moved around and talked to it!

barred-owl-by-lita-gittA Barred Owl's stomach markings are vertical, and a Spotted Owl's are horizontal. The Barred Owl's call is said to sound like, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all." You can see if you agree by listening here at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

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

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Chris Beach recently photographed two adult Bald Eagles sitting on snags in the Gualala River.

two-bald-eagles-in-the-gualala-river-by-chris-beach Around the same time, a young Bald Eagle, was seen near the river mouth.

young-bald-eagle-stretches-its-wings-by-chris-beachyoung-bald-eagle-by-chris-beachPerhaps by next year this Bald Eagle will be a mature with a totally white head.

A mature Bald Eagle was seen flying over the river this Friday, and we are encouraged by all these sightings. Our hope is that a pair will mate in the watershed of the Gualala River.

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photos with you here. It is a spectacular day on the Mendonoma Coast today. Gray Whales have been seen to add grace to this day.

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Beth Kattleman photographed rocks covered in Anemones. I found out the name for these animals is Aggregating Anemones.

aggregating-anemones-anthopleura-elegantissima-by-beth-kattleman-819x1024They look like flowers, don't you think? Here's an interesting photo taken by Roberta Chan of one of these Anemones that got lucky in a tide pool when a By-the-Wind-Sailor, Velella velella, was washed up. The hapless Sailor was apparently a very tasty treat.

an-anemone-sailor-2-by-robert-chanObserving the creatures that live in tide pools is always fascinating. All you have to do is go at low tide.

Thanks to Beth and Roberta for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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John and Janice Batchelder purchased a handheld Hummingbird feeder. Janice filled it with one part sugar and four parts water, and stood on her deck, holding the feeder. She said it didn't take long until a local Anna's Hummingbird came to investigate. He/she landed rather gingerly.

an-annas-hummingbird-lands-on-janice-batchelders-hand-by-john-batchelderAnd the the hummer settled in to feed.

janice-batchelder-with-a-handheld-hummingbird-feeder-by-john-batchelderThese feeders are called "Humm Buttons." I'm thinking I might want to get one too!

Thanks to John and Janice for allowing me to share their photos with you here.