Tag Archives: Rick Denniston

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Rick Denniston had several other photos of the Bald Eagle eating what appeared to be a huge lizard. In this photo I could see that the Bald Eagle was eating a Lamprey, an eel-like fish found in the Gualala River.

Mystery solved!

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

Another wild weather day. Early this morning, with the temperature barely reaching 40 degrees, a hailstorm hit. Here's our deck in Anchor Bay covered in hail.

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Rick Denniston photographed this Bald Eagle eating what looks like a large lizard. The light wasn't good for the photo, Rick said.

I sent Rick's photo to reptile expert Gary Nafis. He wrote,

"I don't know what it is. I'm not sure it's a lizard, and I don't think it's the tail end of a snake. I can't see any legs and the light thing hanging down over the branch doesn't look like one. The largest lizards in your area are alligator lizards, but if an eagle's talons are two inches long as I've read, then it's too large to be an alligator lizard. If it is a lizard, it would have to be an escaped pet. If it's a rodent, I don't think the eagle would be eating the tail end. Raptors have been seen eating salamanders, too, but the tail is also wrong for a giant salamander."
Do you have any idea what the Bald Eagle is eating?
Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Ooo, we are having wild weather - rain, hail, sunshine, more rain hail, sunshine...a wait five minutes kind of day. We had a 1/2 inch of rain this morning in a short period of time. More coming in late this afternoon.

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Sometimes the pure loveliness of seeing a Great Egret land near you can fill you with happiness. Rick Denniston recently witnessed such a sight.

Great Egrets are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

Other year round residents are Great Blue Herons. Sara Bogard recently photographed one just taking flight.

Thanks to Rick and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Sunny, breezy and warm here today. Hot weather coming in for a few days.

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Shari GoForth-Eby noticed a group of California Sea Lions off of Gualala Point Beach from the Gualala Bluff Trail.

Rick Denniston witnessed this too.

But there is an interesting story here, told by Scott Mercer.

Scott wrote, “We heard from Shari Goforth-Eby of an unusual sight by the Gualala Bluff Trail.  We arrived and saw 15 or more chatty California Sea Lions perched on a large object, and drifting with the strong wind. They were right along the edge of the beach managing to stay off the beach. After much looking and guessing we all finally agreed that the object was not a dead whale [whew] and was not a tree, or a log, but a raft of kelp.  At one point the group and their raft had drifted north and out of our sight. To our amazement, and amusement, the Sea Lions came swimming rapidly back along the beach barking loudly, not alone, but bringing their kelp raft along with them.”

Sea Lions feed on invertebrates that live in kelp forests. They form rafts for several reasons -to rest together, and for thermoregulation. They lift their flippers out of the water and have the sun warm them up. I have never heard of them bringing a patch of kelp with them. That’s wonderful to know!

Thanks to Shari and Rick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

oh my, we are having a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast. Big swells are evident on the Pacific Ocean and the waves are crashing. Temps in the mid 60's - a fine winter day.

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Sometimes you look out your window and find someone looking back up at you! Rick Denniston photographed this young Gray Fox visiting his property in Gualala.

The wildlife we are privileged to see here on the Mendonoma Coast can bring wonder and joy into your life.

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

Hot, dry, scary weather is happening now. We have been notified that our power may be shut off beginning Saturday night. Want to join me in a rain dance?