Tag Archives: Sonoma County

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Rick and I live a half mile back from the Pacific Ocean yet the sound of the crashing waves can be heard - and felt - inside our house. The ocean is in full voice and there is no denying its presence. Rich Kuehn photographed waves hitting Gualala Point Island yesterday from his home at The Sea Ranch.

There is an amazing amount of power in this photo. I thank Rich for allowing me to share it with you here. To learn more about this special island, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/05/05/gualala-point-island-a-rocky-island-off-the-sonoma-coast/

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One of the shorebirds we see during the fall migration is the Red-necked Phalarope. Several were seen off of the Point Arena Pier. Craig Tooley photographed one off of Sonoma County recently.

It looks like it is talking back to Craig. This endearing bird spins in circles on top the water like a wind-up toy. This is how they feed. They create an upwelling that brings food particles up to them.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Craig's coastal photography, here's the link: http://ruffimage.com/

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Ken Hofer enjoys surfing up Point Arena way. There are several nice surfing spots on the coast. Here's a photo of Ken and his surfboard, with Ken's wife, Carol, very much enjoying the sunny day.

Thanks to the Hofers for allowing me to share their photo with you here.
To see some of our areas surfing spots, here are a few links: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/05/20/surfing-on-the-mendonoma-coast/
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/08/03/surfing-off-arena-cove-in-point-arena-as-photographed-by-michelle-schubert/
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/12/14/surfing-at-black-point-beach-and-a-day-of-unusual-visibility-in-the-pacific-ocean/

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Windermere Point is found on the west side of Highway One in Sonoma County just south of Fort Ross Store. For some reason, Rick and I had never pulled in to this beautiful part of Fort Ross State Historic Park. There are lovely views from the bluffs, plus a view of Timber Cove Lodge and the famous Benny Bufano Peace statue.

Below is a view of the cove to the south.

And this is looking west.

 In the distance is the Benny Bufano Peace statue, the lodge and the cove to the north.

 This is the entrance sign - so low-key that we never paid much attention to it.

And here's Rick's car parked in the parking area - a 1980 Mercedes-Benz, 280SE. It's a great car for the Coast Highway's curves.

I will show you Fort Ross soon. It is fascinating - Russian explorers founded it 200 years ago. There are lots of celebrations going on to commemorate this anniversary. You can learn more at this link: http://www.fortross.org/bicentennial-2012/

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This is the first photo of an American Badger sent in to Mendonoma Sightings in the six plus years I've been doing the column, so you can see how rare it is to see an American Badger. This juvenile Badger had apparently fallen down a cliff and was unable to climb back up. Craig Tooley and Rita Peck, trained in wildlife rescue, were called after members of our ambulance service had seen it alongside Highway One in Sonoma County.

Craig said the little fellow - or gal, we don't know for sure - was VERY feisty. An man employed by the Park Service happened by and helped Craig and Rita get the Badger in a box. They climbed the steep cliff and let the Badger go in the grassy meadow - a successful wildlife rescue!

Below is a photo of a Badger mound that was seen on The Sea Ranch in 2007 and photographed by Dibby Tyler. The Badger was never seen.

To see more of Craig Tooley's wildlife photos, here's the link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/