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River Otters have been spotted at the Gualala River mouth. They are also found in other creeks and rivers on the Mendonoma coast. Gail Jackson photographed two River Otters looking at her. I wonder what the otters are thinking!

Here is a close up of a River Otter, taken by Dard Hunter, eating an octopus.

A year ago I watched one emerge from the Garcia River and proceed to roll in the sand.

The otter rolled with gusto for several minutes, and then was done.

River Otters can't abide pollution, so it's a testament to the clean waterways here on the coast.

Thanks to Gail and Dard for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Warm weather forecast for the weekend!

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Jill Larsen was kayaking on the Gualala River. She wrote, "We saw this sunbathing turtle on the wonderfully full Gualala River while kayaking Memorial Day weekend.”

What Jill saw was a Western Pond Turtle, a shy resident of the river. You have to be quiet to have a sighting of one of these native turtles, otherwise your sighting will consist of ripples in the river, showing where the turtle dove.

Thanks to Jill for allowing me to share her photo with you here. We are having a foggy, cool day on the Mendonoma Coast today.

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Walter Stillman spotted a family of Gray Foxes in the Point Arena area. He photographed three of the cute kits with their mother.

Walt said he also saw the father standing guard at a distance. It looks like two of the little kits are trying to nurse in this photo below.

I wrote a feature for the Press Democrat on gray foxes which appeared June 14. If you'd like to read it - and see Craig Tooley's great fox kit photos - here is the link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/8427192-181/brace-yourself-for-cuteness-its

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

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It's pretty rare to see one of these birds on the Mendonoma coast, but Gail Jackson spotted this Yellow-headed Blackbird in the parking lot of Surf Supermarket.

Their call is described on allaboutbirds.org: Males sing a few musical notes followed by a screeching buzz, rather like a heavy door swinging on a very rusty metal hinge. You can hear it at this link - it's pretty funny to hear: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-headed_Blackbird/sounds

Thanks to Gail for allowing me to share her photo with you here. We had fog this morning but it has given way to blue skies and very mild temps.

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Steve and Margie Truter had a heartwarming sighting last Saturday. Margie wrote, “Walking along the northern end of Manchester Beach at Irish Beach, a Deer came running towards us through the surf. We backed away from the waves to watch her frolicking through the waves until she was out of sight. We have seen tracks down on the beach before but never one in the water enjoying the waves.”

Margie took a quick video which shows the exuberance of the Doe splashing through the waves.

Short video of a Doe running through the surf by Margie Truter

We know Deer swim in the ocean and in rivers. I have never seen one so obviously playing in the waves. It's quite wonderful to see.

Thanks to Margie for allowing me to share her photo and video with you here.