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The Point Arena Lighthouse is currently closed to the public because of the virus. But Tour Guide Mike Chandler filmed the Light Tower in 3D so you can virtually climb the tower and look out from the top. Here is the link: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=nghSa8aorZQ

Click on the button on the bottom lower left to start the tour, or play around in the 3D space. It's pretty wonderful!

Here is a photo of the Lighthouse, taken by Mark Hancock. Notice the Baby Blue Eyes blooming in front. They are blooming now.

Thanks to Mike and Mark for allowing me to share their video/photo with you here. To learn more about this iconic lighthouse and the accommodations once we can have visitors again, here is the link to the website: https://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/

brrr, it's cold today after the two weekend storms. It is also achingly beautiful with oh-so-blue skies and puffy clouds racing across the sky.

Spring doesn't know...

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Jack Likins took a video of the very healthy ecosystem off of The Sea Ranch, at Walk On Beach. Currently this public access is closed, but Jack took this video some time before the closures.

https://youtu.be/UvP2nVrqono

Here's a photo by photographer Ken Bailey of an Opalescent Nudibranch, a type of sea slug.

And in much happier times, when abalone diving was allowed, here are Jack and Ken over five years ago with Ken's three 10-inch Abalones. Sorry to say, there is no diving allowed  now, not because of the virus, but because the Abalones are in trouble due to the proliferation of Sea Urchins. The Urchins eat everything, including the kelp Abalones need for sustenance.

But seeing Jack's video gives me hope that the ocean can readjust and become healthy again. Look at those big Abalones! Look but don't touch. Thanks to Jack and Ken for allowing me to share the photos/video with you here.

We had a BIG storm overnight. From the back to back storms, we registered 1.70 inches in our gauge. The seasonal creek that crosses our land is back above ground and running - a glorious sight this morning.

Spring doesn't know...

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As our parks and trails to beaches are closed off due to the coronavirus, I thought today I'd show you one of my favorite photos of Hearn Gulch. Paul Brewer is the talented photographer who captured magic that day.

Paul photographed the setting sun through the sea tunnel, and the blow hole in beautiful action on the right side. When this crisis is over, perhaps you will visit this special spot, brought to us by the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. To learn more about Hearn Gulch and other places RCLC has and is bringing to us, here is their website: http://www.rc-lc.org/

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

It's been raining with more to come - hooray!

Spring doesn't know...

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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Barred Owl, a large owl native to Eastern North America. It has, however,  made its way to the Pacific Northwest in recent years.

There is concern that Barred Owls will negatively affect the native Spotted Owls. The Barred Owl’s hooting call is described as, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” You can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

To compare a Barred with a Spotted Owl, here is a look at a Spotted that Craig photographed some time ago.

I love owls, I admit it. I heard the hooting of a Great Horned Owl a few nights ago and it brought me comfort!

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

It's sunny today with a northwest wind - more upwelling in the ocean! Rain coming in for the weekend.

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The northwest wind is howling this afternoon and it's quite biting outside! I don't mind this wind because I know it brings with it upwelling in the Pacific Ocean. This is when the surface waters are replaced by cold, nutrient-rich waters from below. Upwelling ignites the whole food chain, an amazing phenomenon that takes place right here, off the Point Arena Peninsula.

Jinx McCombs had a sighting of a beautiful Bobcat at her home near Point Arena.

She said this Bobcat stayed in this position for over a half hour. Perhaps he/she was enjoying the sun and flowers. This Bobcat has some amazing spots. Fun Fact: The marking of each Bobcat is unique to itself, like our fingerprints are unique to each of us.

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

Sunny, windy, upwelling happening...and Spring doesn't know.