Tag Archives: Gualala Bluff Trail

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A Gulf Fritillary was spotted by Hilary Prentiss in her yard in Gualala.

She wrote, “Fun facts about this butterfly: Their caterpillars feed exclusively on passion flower vines. Their bright orange color serves as a warning to predators that they are unpalatable due to the toxins in the passion flower vines they eat. And the underside of their wings have shiny spots that offer camouflage when their wings are closed.”

We've also had two Monarch butterfly sightings. One was quite tattered and photographed by Shari Goforth. Shari saw this butterfly near Surf Market in Gualala. It flew to the Gualala Bluff Trail where it then fed on rock rose blossoms.

Ann Yeo saw a Monarch in much better shape, also in Gualala. Those who study these butterflies are very interested in what they are feeding on and where they are over-wintering. Mary Sue Ittner took a look at Ann’s photo and believes the plant could be Escalonia rubra, a non-native plant known to be popular with Monarchs as its flowers are nutrient rich.

We know Monarch butterflies are struggling so any sighting of one is precious. Gulf Fritillary butterflies were introduced to southern California before 1908. According to UCDavis' website: "This butterfly has no native host plant in California and is entirely dependent on introduced species of the tropical genus Passiflora (Passion Flower, Passion Vine), including the common Maypop (P. incarnata) and P. X alatocaerulea."

Thanks to Hilary Prentiss, Shari Goforth, and Ann Yeo for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

There must be butterflies today as the temperature was close to 70 degrees. While much of the country is experience extremely cold temps, it seems rather surreal to have this warm, dry weather.

 

 

 

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We've had stormy weather which often brings rainbows. Perry Hoffman captured magic with his photo of a rainbow over the Pacific Ocean. You'd have to swim to get that pot of gold!

Paul Brewer photographed this big rainbow in Gualala.

Chris Braley may have photographed the same rainbow as Paul but she was at the Gualala River, on the Gualala Bluff Trail.

It's always a treat to see rainbows! Thanks to Perry, Chris and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

At Rick's and my place in Anchor Bay, we received 2.75 inches of rain from the storm. 23.96 season to date. Seasonal creeks are roaring today! It's a great time to look for waterfalls.

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After yesterday's storm, the Gualala River was running high and fast. The Pacific Ocean was roiled up with huge breakers and the river was full from the rains. Here's what it looked like Thursday morning from the Gualala Bluff Trail. The river is pouring into the ocean, while the ocean breakers are flowering over the sandbar.

Here's a video of the action today. Update on the video below. I watched it on my large screen and found a River Otter swimming in the raging river. See if you can spot her!

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More rain coming in tonight and tomorrow. 2.30 inches from yesterday's storm. I'll report rain totals and season to date figures with the next post. Can you tell I love weather?!?!?

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From the storms that began Sunday morning through today, Wednesday, there is 6.35 inches in my rain gauge. Sometime during the night on Monday or early Tuesday, the Gualala River breached the big sandbar and the yearly ritual occurred. Today, Wednesday, I went to the river to check it out. It's runny muddy and strong!

Steelhead, who were trapped in luxury by the sandbar, were swept out to sea to begin their life in the saltwater. Now other steelhead will enter the river to spawn. It's wonderful to be able to watch this river. The first photo was taken from the Gualala Bluff Trail - there are Harbor Seal on the right side sandbar.  The second was taken from Gualala Point Regional Park. The town of Gualala is on the right.

What a series of storms - it just poured. We are lucky that this particular river doesn't have development in its floodplain. I was told the river was very high Monday morning.

Now we have clear weather predicted through Christmas. I'm looking forward to checking the seasonal creek that crosses Rick's and my land and looking for edible mushrooms!

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Don't get close to the bluff edge, especially after all the rain we've had here on the Mendonoma Coast. Roxanne Holmes didn't get wet with this crashing wave, but it was a close call! You can see a big wave forming behind this crashing wave.

Gail Jackson went to the Gualala Bluff Trail and got these photos.

It's pretty thrilling to observe the power of the ocean at moments like these.

Thanks to Roxanne and Gail for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's raining as I type this. So far this season I've recorded 37.15 inches. 50 inches total is a normal winter, to give  you perspective. I'm on day eight of no power, and I've run out of propane for my generator. But I'm getting help to keep the generator on for short periods of time with 5 gallon propane cylinders. Wood stove is going, and a certain kitty I adopted loves laying in front of that stove. Many others here on the coast are in a similar predicament. We help each other as we can, and we smile through the experience...because, really, what else can you do?