Tag Archives: Gualala River

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Peter Baye was north, up at Big River, where he found several pairs of elusive Wood Ducks. He wrote, “I almost always hear Wood Ducks on the Gualala River without seeing anything more than their backends in flight. They are even more shy on the water than Pond Turtles, but these were in partial cover in the native Pond-lilies. They were wary but not alarmed, long enough for me to see their painted plumage. They look like fantasy waterfowl.”

Wood Ducks' calls are quite different. You can listen to them here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Duck/sounds

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has to say about these beautiful ducks: "The Wood Duck is one of the most stunningly pretty of all waterfowl. Males are iridescent chestnut and green, with ornate patterns on nearly every feather; the elegant females have a distinctive profile and delicate white pattern around the eye. These birds live in wooded swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches."

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

It's still windy today, but warmer...almost 70 degrees!

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Eric Zetterholm recently photographed the mated pair of Bald Eagles mating. Yes! X-rated Sightings for you today.

The eagles were in the dead tree that can be seen from the north end of the Gualala Bluff Trail, or from behind Trinks Restaurant. The mating is quick! Eric later spotted them in the sandbar of Gualala River, facing the Pacific Ocean. Do you see a heart between the two Bald Eagles' beaks and throats? Sweet!

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

Another lovely day here on the Mendonoma coast. Birdsong fills the air. With spring right around the corner, and wildflowers beginning to appear, it's a great time to be on the coast.

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Eric Zetterholm noticed this River Otter fishing in the very full and muddy Gualala River.

There is a family of River Otters that lives in and alongside the estuary of the Gualala River. The family is comprised of a mother otter and her offspring. The male otter does his part impregnating the female but then he leaves. Deadbeat dad! River Otters can't tolerate pollution, so their presence is a testament to the clean waters of the Mendonoma coast.

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

We are having breezy, sunny weather today, without a cloud to be seen.

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Craig Tooley was out between storms, photographing streams filled with abundant water, a wonderful sight after several years of subpar rain.

Here is a tributary of the Gualala River. I love the mossy rocks.

The ground is so saturated, it squishes when you walk on it. And now we have a chance to dry out. This coming weekend should be stellar here on the Mendonoma coast!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Eric Zetterholm often spots the mated pair of Bald Eagles that have made the Gualala River area their home. They have been seen mating just a few days ago. The male is in the foreground.

Eric found one of the Bald Eagles had snagged a Steelhead from the Gualala River. A group of Common Ravens tried their best to get the fish from the male, even pulling on the big eagle's tail feathers!

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

We saw the sun today after three days of pounding rain, and it seemed like everyone was smiling in downtown Gualala. We received 9.85 inches of rain from the river-of-rain event - one of the wettest storms we've ever experienced here. Our rain total season-to-date is 47.10 inches. A normal year for us is 50 inches, so we are in great shape this year.