Sightings

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Last week Friends of the Gualala River and I hosted Gualala River Sightings at the Gualala Arts Center. People were invited to send in their favorite photos of our favorite wild river and its environs. Over 120 photos were sent in. I'm happy to be able to share the winning photographs with you.

Best above the river was taken by Peggy Berryhill:

Best in the river was taken by Rozann Grunig- kayaking under a full moon.

Best alongside the river (micro) was taken by Bryant Hichwa - icy morning leaves:

I will share more of the award winning photographs with you tomorrow. Many thanks to the talented photographers here

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John Sperry photographed the first Calypso Orchid to bloom this year and sent it along for us to enjoy.

Calypso Orchids should never be transplanted. They need a particular fungus in the soil to grow. They can be found in undisturbed forests here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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

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Craig Tooley photographed more than just Gray Whales when he was up in an airplane last week. He photographed Hearn Gulch.

This is a new public access bluff and beach brought to us by the wonderful folks at Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. You can learn how they accomplished this acquisition and read about their other projects at this link: http://www.rc-lc.org/pages/proj-hearn.html To find this beach, park at mile marker 10.0 and hike north.

To see photos of a recent hike Rick and I took there, here's that link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2013/02/08/a-visit-to-hearn-gulch-is-always-a-treat/ The wave action there can be phenomenal.

And to see much more of Craig Tooley's photography, here is the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/

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Hummingbirds are not always easy to photograph as they dart here and there feeding on flowers and on feeders that kind people set out for them.  Mark Simkins recently had one visit his feeder in Manchester.

 Four parts water to one part sugar is the ratio these tiny birds love. People must clean the feeders often to protect these living jewels. We wouldn't want to do harm while trying to help!

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see another photo of an Anna's Hummingbird, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/03/annas-hummingbird-beautifully-photographed-by-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/

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Lambs, the essence of cuteness, are charming people on The Sea Ranch. Allen Vinson recently photographed part of the flock.

The sheep, along with a few goats, help keep the grasses munched down. They've also become a tourist attraction.

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