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The Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers at Gualala Arts Saturday, December 14, 3 pm.
Bell Ringers Holiday Concert for the Coast.


The Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers will present their annual Holiday Concert for the Coast concert on Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm in the Coleman Auditorium of the Gualala Arts Center. This concert is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm. Tickets are $15 advance, $5 additional when purchased the day of. Tickets available at Gualala Arts and Dolphin Gallery, and at BrownPaperTickets.

It should be great! I'm on the back left row. I've enjoyed ringing the bells over the years but one year, just a month before a big concert, my golden retriever, Huckleberry, pulled me over in a parking lot and I broke my wrist. I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to switch with our then conductor, Sita Milchev. What I found out was that I LOVED conducting, and I've been doing it ever since.

Rainy on the coast today with BIG crashing waves.

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Margaret Lindgren was on the bluffs at Gualala Point Regional Park when she saw a Gray Whale very close to the surf break.The person on the beach is pointing to the whale.

In this next photo the whale is spouting and you can see some of his body on the left.

Here again the whale spouts.

And then the Gray Whale spyhopped!

Spyhopping is when the whale's head comes up vertically from the ocean. We think the whale is either looking around, or listening for the surf break. Or maybe you have a theory!

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here. Margaret leads fabulous nature hikes here on the Mendonoma Coast. Her website is: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/index.html

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I find hummingbirds difficult to photograph unless they are resting on a branch. Michael Reinhart obviously has no trouble photographing one on the wing.

And here the little Anna's Hummingbird rest on a branch.

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Storm report: We received 2.80 inches at our house in Anchor Bay. Today we are bathed in sunshine.

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The Gualala River has a sandbar that "closes" the river mouth to the Pacific Ocean. Some water seeps through the sand, of course. But the river is essentially closed for many months. It's always exciting when, after enough rain, the river bursts through the sandbar. Bob Rutemoeller found the river opened on Monday.

Doggone it, I missed the opening! It's possible that it opened in the early hours of the day, in darkness.

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

Another big storm is approaching the coast. We could have several inches of rain from this one. The seasonal creek that crosses our property, Quinliven Creek, is primed to come alive. The ponds are nearly full and this storm is sure to fill them to the brim. I love it when the creek comes alive, being able to watch the cascades and listen to the music it plays.

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I noticed the Pacific Ocean was glowing purple and then I took in the totality of the sunset. I gasped out loud!

And it lasted for a long time, nearly a half hour! Talk about magic light.

Since this photo is mine, I don't have to thank myself, do I?!

We have had a lot of rain and mushrooms are beginning to appear. We're having showers this morning, but then a bit of a break. Friday is going to be raining big-time!