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If you follow these blog posts or read my column in the Independent Coast Observer, you know that we have had a mated pair of Bald Eagles in Gualala for the past several years. We've been wishing and hoping they would have a chick and it looks like they did this year. Steve Woolson photographed the family near Salal Creek, which is very close to the Gualala River. The fledgling is eating a bird that one of the adults caught for him/her.

The fierce-looking mother is on the right. You can make out a few stray dark hairs on her head. A totally white head denotes a mature bald eagle. She was obviously mature enough this year to hatch an egg and nurture her chick. The father had been seen diligently fishing and then flying upriver with his catch. We believe the nest is in the watershed of the Gualala River.

So, how about this goo - no, great - news?! We need it, right? Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We have no smoke from the wildfires here, as the wind is pushing it southward. In fact, if you didn't read or listen to the news, you'd never know anything was amiss if you were on the Mendonoma Coast! It's sunny and breezy today. Many Humpbacks were seen today too.

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Northern California was hit with a series of lightning strikes Sunday night and Monday, resulting in many wildfires. Though destructive, the sight of the lightning bolts has a raw beauty. Paul Brewer photographed  a lightning strike in the daylight hours on Monday.

May the wildfires be soon put out. Already I'm longing for the first autumn rains.

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/

Sunny and very warm today, though a fog bank has formed over the Pacific Ocean. We need our "air conditioner," the fog, to return.

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Paul Kozal was out late at night making magic with his photography. You can see a meteor on the right, the iconic Lighthouse we all love, and the Milky Way splashed across the night sky. So lovely.

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

It's pretty darn warm at our place today. We melt when the temps get near 90 degrees. It was that hot yesterday but today has a cooling breeze. Come on, breeze! oh, we had quite a lightning show early this morning. I hope to show you some photos of that event soon.

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John Harmon was at Sea Pine Beach at low tide on The Sea Ranch when he saw all these healthy Stars. They look to be feeding on a bed of Mussels.

These are Ochre Stars and they also eat clams and oysters. I do know one creature that eats Sea Stars and that is a Western Gull. Here's a photo of this gull taken by Allen Vinson. The food chain in action!

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

A heat wave has enveloped the western part of the United States. If you travel inland from the coast just a bit, you hit very high temps. Here on the Mendonoma Coast, there is no fog, just a gentle breeze and warm temps today.

 

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Lloyd Chasey set out from the Point Arena Harbor in his 13-foot kayak a week ago Tuesday with his fishing gear. Oh my, was he successful! Kathleen Chasey wrote, “Lloyd caught this 25-pound Salmon from his kayak. In kayak fisherman speak it’s called a ‘hawg.’”

That's a big fish to get from a kayak! Congratulations to Lloyd and thanks to Kathleen for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

The fog has vanished and we have nothing but blue skies! Heatwave inland and toasty weather here for the weekend.