Male California Sea Lions are migrating now. In recent months the males have been hanging around the females on Fish Rocks, which is just off Anchor Bay, and a few other locations. Now the males are leaving, some going only as far as The Sea Ranch. Craig Tooley photographed a magnificent male with a Common Raven looking over its shoulder.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's Coastal photography, here's the link: http://ruffimage.com/
Tuesday's sunset was beautiful with the first few storm clouds we've seen in quite a while. The rain stayed off shore but the clouds always make for a dramatic sunset. This one came with a golden path.
And the sunrise painted in pastels was a vision in loveliness. Can you see the top of Fish Rocks? The sun is just beginning to light it up. It's at the bottom left of the photo below. There is an active Sea Lion colony there and on calm days - and nights - the sound of the males barking can be heard. Things will settle down soon when the males move away for the winter months and give the females and their pups a break.
Last Thursday morning, Rick and I, along with our golden retriever, Huckleberry, took a hike at Gualala Point Regional Park. It was a breezy day and the fog had pulled back leaving us in sunshine.
This is the view from one of the trails. On the middle right is the Gualala River lagoon. On the bluffs is the town of Gualala. The rocky islands in the middle are Fish Rocks, where a large colony of Sea Lions live.
Something moved in the grasses that caught my eye. When I looked at my photograph, I found I had photographed a Praying Mantis!
Paying attention to things both big and small brings unexpected surprises!
To see one of the most popular photos on this blog, here's the link to Siegfried Matull's photo of a Praying Mantis with its wings extended: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/07/two-photos-of-a-praying-mantis-from-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/
The Mendonoma Coast has been enveloped in fog the past two days. It quiets down the sound of the barking Sea Lions on Fish Rocks. Karen Tracy photographed the early morning fog drifting up below her home in Anchor Bay.
Thanks to Karen for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
To see a photo of another beautiful sunrise, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/12/24/beautiful-sunrise-photographed-by-coastal-photographer-craig-tooley/
Yesterday we jumped into summer and the warm weather continues today. Of course there are pockets of fog in the usual places - hello, Point Arena! - but the fog will hopefully burn off for everyone.
There were a lot of happy faces as sun shone and David Wayne Floyd photographed the beach action at Anchor Bay Beach yesterday.
This morning with the favorable low tides, abalone divers were hitting the water. A crab boat is working the water south of Fish Rocks this afternoon. Today there is no wind!
Commercial fishermen are awaiting the opening of the Salmon season, which is May 1st south of Point Arena, I believe. Life on the Mendonoma Coast is like a dream, a dream from which you don't want to wake up.