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A very unusual sighting happened on the beach at Gualala Point Regional Park a few weeks ago. Doug Forsell wrote, “There is several hundred thousand Euphausiids, Krill, washed up on the beach. They are Thysanoessa spinifera, which are the most common nearshore species in California."

‘These are small shrimp-like animals that feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton.  They can form large swarms providing food for whales, birds, and fish. They are an important link in the ocean food chain, and many species are dependent on them. The unusual thing about the stranding is the winds have been calm, and the surf low for the past couple days. Perhaps it was so calm there was no surf to warn them away from shore. All of these animals appeared very fresh.”

Doug said there were over five hundred “fat and happy” Gulls and a handful of Turkey Vultures gorging on the Krill. He watched a Peregrine Falcon take a pass at the feasting Gulls, but the falcon didn’t nab one. And out on the water he could see Surf Scoters, Loons and other birds that appeared to be eating Krill.

I sent Doug’s photos to whale expert, Scott Mercer. Scott wrote, “Watch for feeding Blues and Humpbacks. That's prime Blue Whale dinner. Sounds like prime avian dinner too.  What a bonus for the vultures. I've never seen euphausiids wash up like that.”

So, thanks to Doug, we learned of this event. It's wonderful to know the Pacific Ocean is filled with these creatures that feed so many animals, including the biggest of them all, the Blue Whale.

Thanks to Doug, also, for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Members of the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians are trying to have the Garcia River renamed to the original Pomo name, which is P'da Hau. Since Rafael Garcia had a land grant in the mid-1800s and didn't even stay in the area long, it seems like a good idea to give the river back its original name. Rick and I were recently out on the northern portion of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and looked down from the bluff on the P'da Hau, watching it flow out into the ocean. Manchester Beach is to the north of the river.

Looking up river, we saw a River Otter come out of the river.

The Otter then proceeded to roll in the sand! Perhaps it was taking a sand bath.

After rolling several times, the River Otter headed back to the river, as if to say, "Okay, I'm done."

We also saw a family of Canada Geese, with young goslings, strolling alongside the river bank.

There is always something to see here on the Mendonoma coast!

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The two pair of Peregrine's who nested in southern Mendocino county returned to the same spots again this year. In the first photo is the nest with two chicks. Craig Tooley went out with his long lens to get these photos and a short video.

Here's Craig's video:

And Margaret Lindgren photographed the other nest with her cell phone camera. The nest has FOUR chicks.

Thanks to Craig and Margaret for allowing me to share their photos and video with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website:  www.ruffimage.com

And to learn about Margaret's fabulous hiking tours here on the Mendonoma coast, here is the link to her website: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/

We got 1.02 inches of rain from the late season storm early yesterday. Everything got a nice soaking!

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Rick and I had a Steller's Jay nest just outside one of our doors. It was in an abelia bush, a lovely flowering bush that Monarch Butterflies love. The chicks left the nest yesterday and were standing a few inches away. I photographed this chick as he/she stood perfectly still.

John Batchelder, a Sightings contributor, sent in a photo of Pacific Wren fledglings. He made the comment that their beaks are too big for their heads. Well, that's definitely the case here too! Don't worry, this chick will grow into its beak. This is what the Jay will look like when it is mature. This great photo was taken by Robert Scarola. Thank you, Robert!

It's warm and breezy again today. Amazingly enough, there is a storm forecast for late tomorrow/early Thursday. We don't often get storms from the north in June! But after the drought, the rain is always welcome. Forecast for the weekend, if you'd like to plan a trip here, is fabulous!

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Paul Brewer photographed this Band-tailed Pigeon as the bird took off from a branch.

These large pigeons eat nuts, fruits and seeds. They travel in groups, so if you see one at your seed feeder, there are sure to be more soon. They have a soft cooing sound, almost like an owl, which you can hear at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Band-tailed_Pigeon/sounds

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 a sunny, breezy day on the beautiful Mendonoma coast!