Sightings

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Two little Western Screech Owls, each believed to be hit by a car, were rescued and taken to the Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa. One was found in October and it had a broken bone in its wing. The other was rescued in November. The two Owls were put together. Diane Hichwa was given the charge of picking them up, driving them up windy Highway One and then ten miles up Mountain View Road where one of the owls was found. She invited Rick and me to join her and her husband, Bryant. And what an experience it was! Here is one of the little owls waiting to be set free.

 Below Diane is taking one of the owls out of its travel box. I am nervously standing by, wearing gloves to protect my hands.

 It was so awesome to hold this little owl. They only weigh eight ounces. The one I was holding was quiet in my hands.

 Below Diane has the second owl out and we are prepared to let them go. We let them look at each other before setting them free.

 Diane released her Owl first and it flew off into the trees. I followed a few seconds later and the second Owl followed the first one. Here's hoping they thrive in the future.

Everyone involved with these owls can be proud of a job very well done. It was thrilling for me to be a part of their release.

Bryant Hichwa took these photos and I thank him for allowing me to share them with you here.

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King Tides, the biggest tides of the year, hit the Mendonoma coast yesterday. Ron LeValley was at MacKerricher State Park and got this magnificent photo.

The California King Tides Initiative invites photographers to post their photos of these extremely high tides. It is thought they will give us a look at our future with sea level rise happening in the years to come. Here's the link to post your photos or to learn more: http://www.californiakingtides.org/

And here's what Ron wrote about his experience yesterday: "King Tide! Today was the highest tide of the winter and some big waves were coming in. We went to the beach at MacKerricher State Park and watched the waves go over the beach and on to the road next to Lake Cleone. Eventually we had to leave because State Parks was worried that the road might have to be closed, and we were on the other side of the closure! We have to plan for these tides more in the future. This is a hint of what it is going to be like regularly in the future as ocean levels rise."

The next King Tides will occur on January 9 to the 11th, 2013

To see much more of Coast Photographer Ron LeValley's photos, here's the link to his web site: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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A small storm swept through overnight leaving showers for this morning. Showers over the Pacific Ocean bring a chance for rainbows. And that's just what we had for this auspicious date - 12/12/12.

Rainbow days are one of the privileges of living on or visiting the Mendonoma Coast. My best to you today!

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Red-tailed Hawks are our most common hawks. They live year round on the Mendonoma Coast. Jim Garlock had an opportunity to get a close up photo of one.

What a beauty! Thanks to Jim for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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John Batchelder noticed the tall dorsal fin indicative of an Orca, aka Killer Whale. Then he saw a second one. California Sea Lions had been seen rafting in the same area two days earlier.

 Orcas aren't Whales - they are actually Dolphins, albeit BIG ones!

Below you will see the Sea Lions John photographed two days before the Orcas showed up.

Orcas hunt Sea Lions, among other large creatures of the sea. Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photos with you here.