Tag Archives: Gualala Point Regional Park

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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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Rick and I took a walk with Sunny, our golden retriever, at Gualala Point Regional Park. When we got to the bluffs, we could see the magnificent waves, with big rollers coming in.

gualala-point-beach-11-17-16-by-jeanne-jacksonThe spray drifted up to the bluffs were we stood and we got a little salt-water blessing. A little further along the bluffs, I took this video of a couple of waves coming in.

We have a pretty big storm coming in late on Friday. The Pacific Ocean is showing us in advance that changes are afoot!

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Gualala Point Regional Park is a coast jewel. Visitors and locals alike can be seen walking the many trails, some along the bluffs and others to the sandy beach.

Gualala Point Regional Park by Jeanne Jackson Amber waves of grain - Gualala Point Regional Park by Wendy Bailey Yellow Bush Lupine at Gualala Point Regional Park by Martin Steinpress Pacific Ocean seen from Gualala Point Park by jeanne JacksonIrene Leidner is in charge of the volunteers who staff the Visitors Center Friday through Monday. She has several shifts that need to be filled. Can you help? Each shift is 2-1/2 to 3 hours, once a month. Irene will train you, and you are guaranteed to meet interesting visitors to the coast. Please contact Irene at: ildrbdvy@mcn.org.

The photo of "Waves of Amber Grain" was taken by Wendy Baily. The photo of Lupine was taken by Martin Steinpress. The other two are mine. Thanks to Wendy and Martin for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Despite all the valid reasons to deny the Dogwood timber harvest plan, the logging in the floodplain of the Gualala River, CAL-FIRE has just approved it. The logging plan starts at the boundary of Gualala Point Regional Park Campground and then goes up river for more than five miles. The solid red in the photo below shows Dogwood. The red with yellow is "Apple," a recently approved THP.

Apple and Dogwood THP Boundaries - Handout (Large)There will be a Community Protest Rally at Gualala Point Regional Park on Saturday July 16, from 11 am to noon. Sonoma County Parks has waived the entrance fee for this event. Enter the park on the west side of Highway One. Just after the pay station, is a parking area called the Salal parking area. We will congregate there, beginning at 10:30 am.

COMMUNITY RALLY TO PROTEST THE TIMBER HARVEST PLAN CALLED DOGWOOD - yellow!At 11 we will walk down the path in the meadow, which passes by the Serge, totems, and then to the parking area which overlooks the Gualala River Lagoon.

Mike Shoys recently photographed some of Dogwood. You will see mature Redwood trees marked in blue for logging.

Dogwood3 by Mike Shoy Dogwood2 by Mike Shoy Dogwood4 by Mike ShoyThe new owners of this land, some 29,000 acres, should not be allowed to log in the floodplain of the river. These 400+ acres are a part of the Gualala River's ecosystem.This area was logged nearly a hundred years ago. It shouldn't have been logged then and it shouldn't be logged now.

We urge the Burch family to sell these 400+ acres to Sonoma County Regional Parks where the land would be added to the existing park, giving our community, and those who visit our area, a river park to cherish.

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To learn much more about Dogwood, here is the link to the Friends of the Gualala River's website: http://gualalariver.org/

You will read on FoGR's website that a "Notice of Intent to Sue" has been filed by FoGR and Forest Unlimited. They will need donations for this necessary legal action. Here is Forest Unlimited's website: http://forestunlimited.org/about-us/mission/

Hope to see some of you at the protest rally on Saturday!

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Gualala Point Regional Park has so many wonderful aspects to it. It's one of my favorite parks to walk with Rick and our golden retriever, Sunny, which is what we did today. With the King Tides, the ocean was roiled up and big breakers crashed against bluffs and the sandy beach.

Wendy Bailey walked there recently and she was taken by the autumn grasses, which she entitled amber waves of grain.

Amber waves of grain - Gualala Point Regional Park by Wendy Bailey

The Gualala River lagoon has filled up in recent days. At high tide the ocean is spilling over the sandbar that has the river closed. And we've had several small rain events. It's quite kayak-able right now and this weekend could be the perfect time to get in a trip on the river.

Thanks to Wendy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.