Don't you think this is the most perfect photo? Perry Hoffman caught magic when he photographed this oh-so-graceful Great Blue Heron flying low along the Gualala River.
Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share this beautiful photo with you here!
There have been a lot of clouds today, keeping the temps mild, in the 60's. No wind, though!
I'll let Rozanne tell her story:
I had been looking forward to photographing the last Super Moon of 2025. So I set my alarm for 4am with the hope we would have a clear night. As it turns out. I needn’t to have worried, since when the alarm went off, my bedroom was filled with moonlight shining through the windows.
I checked the weather and noted it was going to be cold; I spent a nanosecond thinking about how tempting it was to remain in a nice warm bed. Then, got up, dressed, fed the cats who thought it was time for breakfast, made my coffee and set off for Galleons with a view of Arch Rock.
Walked out to the bluff, set up my gear and then waited for the Moon to move into position so I could catch the reflection on the water.
By the time that happened, the temperature had dropped to under 40 degrees and a cold wind came up!
Needless to say, the wait was worth it. But when I started to pack up and put my gear away, my hands were so cold I couldn’t fold up my tripod!! Luckily it fit in the back seat of the car and I headed back home to a cozy fire and hot coffee, feeling very good about my shots and that the weather Gods cooperated.
Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here!
Happy holidays to all! We've been having a LOT of rain, over eight inches since Dec. 19th. More coming in tonight, Christmas Eve. Hope Santa is able to fly in the rainy weather!
Anna's Hummingbirds are very beautiful when the light hits their feathers. It was a foggy day when Michael Reinhart took this photo, but there was enough light to "light up" this hummer.
Anna's Hummingbirds are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast. I was recently asked about whether hummingbird feeders should be taken in for the winter. In many places you need to take them in, as the hummingbirds need to migrate. Here, as long as you keep them clean, you can leave them up for our local hummers. There are native plants like manzanitas that bloom in the winter to help feed them.
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Today is a transition day. Warm this morning, cooling off this afternoon, rain predicted for tomorrow and much cooler!
Recently Rozanne Rapozo was down near the Gualala River when she saw this female Common Merganser fly by.
Just look at the beautiful reflection in the river. The tips of the wings seem to "touch."
Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Today started off cold (42 degrees) but with sun. The wind has picked up over the afternoon and it's supposed to be quite windy tomorrow.
The full Moon setting by Fish Rocks presented quite a beautiful picture. As evidence, just take a look at Rozanne Rapozo's photo. 
Fish Rocks is off Anchor Bay, about five miles north of Gualala.
Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Cold fog this morning, cold clouds this afternoon. Rain beginning tomorrow night!