Tag Archives: Gualala River

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Peter Baye found several beautiful native wildflowers in bloom along the Gualala River recently. He wrote, “The tiny flowers of wild heliotrope are appearing on gray-green mounds of plants that regenerate from eroded roots in cobble-gravel bars each year. Some have beautiful contrasting darker purple centers. They also grow on the coast around some sandy lagoon shores and bluff seeps, but completely prostrate."

And one of the more uncommon riparian plants on the Gualala River is in bloom: wild licorice, Glycyrrhiza. It also follows stream orchids along bedrock and boulder banks upstream, in a few places. It has a sweet root, but no anise ‘licorice’ candy scent.”

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It was foggy this morning but the sun broke through this afternoon. Temps in the low 60's. Lots of visitors to the coast this holiday weekend!

Happy Independence Day to those of us in the United States!

 

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We have a mated pair of Bald Eagles at the Gualala River. Michael Reinhart found this one on the northern cliff overlooking the river and the Pacific Ocean.

She just looks so darn majestic!

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Our warm weather looks to be leaving us. The wind picked up today and there are some clouds rolling in. We're ready for more rain, that's for sure!

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Kate Bloch wrote, "Yesterday morning, my husband noticed a small crowd gathering near the post office and learned that a Bald Eagle was perched in the trees nearby.  When I first observed the lone eagle, it was largely a silhouette, shrouded in fog, high in a tree.  Shortly thereafter, it flew north, and a second eagle appeared to join it.  Both then landed in a tall tree covered in lichen. Neil and Susan Silverman also spied the eagles, and we enjoyed an extended sighting opportunity as we watched the eagles interact and become the subjects of a vigorous confrontation with a peregrine falcon.  It felt like such a gift to observe and listen to the remarkable avian life around us!"

Kate's photo shows the Peregrine approaching. On the left is a younger Bald Eagle, perhaps 3 1/2 years old. The Bald Eagle on the right is an adult, and I believe she is the Gualala River Bald Eagle.

In this next photo, the two Eagles aren't very happy!

I wondered why the Falcon was trying to drive off the Bald Eagles, especially because this isn’t yet nesting season. I learned that it could be due to intense territoriality, or protecting valuable winter food/roosting spots. Or maybe that smaller Falcon just doesn’t like Bald Eagles! I'll share one of Susan and Neil's photos next.

Thanks to Kate for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We survived another vigorous storm last night. Rain totals since Dec. 19th are 10.10 inches. Some seasonal creeks are now making beautiful waterfalls as they cascade off of bluffs. After the showers of this afternoon, we have clear weather for five days or so.

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Eric Zetterholm was down near the Gualala River when he spotted these two Bald Eagles. The sub-adult eagles is on the left. I believe he/she is about 3 1/2 years old. The eagle on the right is an adult.

Here Eric got another view and the young eagle is stretching its wings.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

On Friday, at Gualala Arts' Festival of Trees, a Bald Eagle flew over the arts center, delighting visiting family members.

It's sunny and mild today with some clouds - another beautiful day here on the Mendonoma Coast!

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This past week or so, Brown Pelicans have been seen in breeding plumage. Their heads are dusted in yellow and their gular pouch - their throat pouch - has turned orange/red. Kate Bloch got this photo of a Brown Pelican in the Gualala River, which shows you this transition.

These breeders will head south to their traditional breeding grounds, which are West Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands. Birders wonder if they will expand their breeding grounds northward, perhaps even the Mendonoma Coast. We’ll be watching!

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

Since Nov. 16th we've had 2.74 inches of rain and the season to date is 12.74. Mushrooms are popping up seemingly everywhere! We've had a nice wet start this year. But now we take a pause and the forecast is clear of any storms through Thanksgiving. This afternoon is bright sunshine after some residual cloud, though it's on the cool side in the mid 50's.