Sightings

•

There are several secluded beaches where Harbor Seal moms give birth. One of them is Tide Pool Beach on The Sea Ranch. Craig Tooley photographed the first Harbor Seal to be born this year swimming with its mom. It's wonderful to watch as the pup bonds with its mother. Harbor Seals only have one pup at a time.

Here's an unusual sighting. This is a lanugo pup. It was born premature and still has its lanugo coat. You can see it is quite hairy. This coat is usually lost before birth but in this little pup's case it is still wearing it. The pup will shed it in the days to come.

You might see a pup on the beach and think it is abandoned. It is not! The mother leaves it there while she heads back into the ocean to feed. If you think a marine mammal is in distress, do not take matters into your own hands. Call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-7350 and they will send a trained volunteer out to assess the situation.

Over twenty pups have been born off The Sea Ranch so far with many more to come. It's a privilege to share the Coast with them.

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

•

The Point Cabrillo Light Station is fully restored and open to the public. Dennis Latona recently visited it and the surrounding state park. It is located just north of the town of Mendocino. You can learn much more about this special place at this link: www.pointcabrillo.org

Dennis also shared this photo of Noyo Harbor at night. Located at Fort Bragg, this is an active harbor for commercial and sport fishing. There are several great seafood restaurants at the harbor too.

And here are several Does with their yearlings. We are waiting for the first fawn of the spring to be born. Any day!

Thanks to Dennis for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Dennis' nature photography, here is his website: http://www.pinenutz.com/

•

It's always a treat to see the Tall Ships sail by. The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain had come to Bodega Bay recently. John Sperry photographed them at anchor.

There were tours and the chance to sail with the crew. Since their home base is in the state of Washington, we are treated to the sight of these two ships sailing by several times a year. Diane Hichwa caught the Lady Washington on April 17 sailing north.

•

Pacific Wrens used to be called Winter Wrens but their name was changed by the powers that be a while back. They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Richard Kuehn had one pose for him recently.

This bird resides in forests and eats insects. We have several that live on our property. In the spring, the male's call is magnificent to hear. It seems to go on - well - nearly forever.

To hear a male singing in the spring, here's the link to the Macaulay Library: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/50129/troglodytes-pacificus-pacific-wren-united-states-oregon-geoffrey-keller  But the one Rick and I heard singing last week outdid the one on this recording!

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

•

Robert Scarola recently photographed this beautiful tide pool.

Here's what Robert had to say:

"It's been so windy lately that Nancy and I are only going out for short walks on the shore -- stunningly beautiful. We found a quiet, calm spot out of the wind on The Sea Ranch Bluff Trail near where the Salal Trail joins it, and spent some time just contemplating the rock formations and the sheltered tide pools. You can feel all the small life here living in this green-edged pool home, waiting for the next surge of sea and nutrients. The sun made the water look like it was filled with diamonds. And actually it is rich beyond measure."

Thanks to Robert for his photo and his words!