Mendonoma Sightings

Brown Pelicans, the first adults, are thrilling us with their flybys!

2013-05-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Brown Pelicans are on the move. The first adults have been seen over the past two weeks. Just yesterday, Rick and I saw several flocks fly by when we were at Gualala Point Regional Park getting a geology lesson from Ken Browning. I'll be sharing some of what we learned in a later post.

The first Brown Pelicans spotted are adults. One of the indicators is that their head is white. Paul Brewer photographed one of the first to be seen on April 30.

We particularly cherish these birds because they were so severely impacted by the pesticide DDT that they landed on the Endangered Species List. DDT was banned in the US in 1973 and Brown Pelicans have slowly added to their numbers. They recovered enough to be taken off the Endangered Species List in 2009.
Hooray for the Brown Pelicans!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Manchester State Beach is one of the jewels of the Mendonoma Coast

2013-05-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

There is always something to see when you explore Manchester State Park. You will find five miles of a huge crescent beach, which ends to the south at the Point Arena Lighthouse. Bettye Winters explores the north end, which is just south of Irish Beach. She shared some recent sightings.

Plovers and Sandpipers feed and rest in Bettye's photo below. You'll also see the white caps on the Pacific Ocean. Yes, it can be very windy here on the Coast in the spring.

Below is Hunter with his stick of the day. You can see the beach is deserted. You can often have the entire beach to yourself here. There is a section of this beach that has nesting Snowy Plovers. Dogs, even on leash, are not allowed in that area.

Can you spot the hiding Sierran Treefrog in this piece of driftwood? Just its head is peeking out the crack.

And here is a "mushroom" sunset. Just beautiful...

Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photographs with you here. To learn more about Manchester State Park, here is the link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=437

Killdeer eggs - hidden in plain sight.

2013-05-18T15:18:00.001-07:00

Jerry Rudy discovered a nest of Killdeer eggs in a meadow behind his home in Timber Cove. They are truly hidden in plain sight.

You can see how the Killdeer mother chose a spot that closely resembled her eggs. Here's a photo of an adult Killdeer next to its eggs, which was taken by Rich Perry.

Killdeer often lay their eggs this time of year in gravel riverbeds, as Rich's photo shows. That's one of the very good reasons to never drive in a river like the Gualala River.

Thanks to Jerry and Rich for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Pelagic Cormorant eggs unattended but all ended well

2013-05-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Craig Tooley was at The Sea Ranch photographing the group of Pelagic Cormorant nests. He was startled to see a nest with eggs unattended.

You will see three eggs in the nest. The nests are made on steep cliffs, facing the ocean.

And here the parent has returned to care for the eggs. Several nests now have babies and I'll share that with you soon.

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

Mark Simkins has been photographing a Bobcat in Manchester

2013-05-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Mark and Kitty Simkins have a resident Bobcat that gives them multiple chances for sightings of the cat with the tufted ears and bobbed tail. Here are two recent photos. Mark titled the first one "Bobcat looking at me."

And below the Bobcat has found a nice fat gopher for dinner.

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

Whimbrels feeding and resting up on Manchester State Beach

2013-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Bettye Winters was walking with her dog, Hunter, when she came across this large group of Whimbrels feeding and resting on the beach at Manchester State Park.

Whimbrels have incredibly long migrations. Some actually migrate 2,500 miles, from southern Canada to South America.

To hear their call, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/sounds

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

A walk on the bluffs at The Sea Ranch brings a wonderful sighting - Brown Pelicans!

2013-05-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Rick and I were enjoying the beautiful Thursday morning, looking at the wildflowers and hoping to see some Gray Whales. We were just south of Black Point Beach. There's a rock where a few Western Gulls are nesting. As we approached, a squadron of Brown Pelicans flew by, almost at eye level. It's our first sighting of them this spring.

These are adult Brown Pelicans. You can see their white heads.

At this point the Pelicans headed towards land and they gained altitude before heading off to the north.

They are air surfers! It is always thrilling to see them as they glide across the sky.
To see a close-up of an adult Brown Pelican, here's the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/04/brown-pelican-splash-down-as.html

Beautiful Clintonias are blooming in the forest

2013-05-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Andrew's Clintonia, Clintonia andrewsiana, is a lovely member of the Lily family. They grow in shaded forests. We have a few on our land in Anchor Bay and we cherish them. This Clintonia is about a foot and a half tall.

In the summer, if a Deer doesn't eat the flower head, the flowers turn into blue berries. Rozann Grunig photographed this Clintonia last year. It's other common name is Blue Bead Lily. Now you can see why!

This is another wildflower that should never be picked. The flowers need to develop into these seeds. They will fall to the ground and, if they find a nurturing spot, will take root. They are very slow to develop. We have several "babies" and, even after ten years, they aren't big enough to flower.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo of the blue berries.

Young Sea Lion as photographed by Connor Angwin

2013-05-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

Connor Angwin was visiting home recently and found this young Sea Lion in the tide pools at Arena Cove in Point Arena.

Here's what Connor wrote, “Last time I was back home I was at the Point Arena Pier taking some pictures and came across this young Sea Lion taking a dip in the tide pools. I ended up taking a bunch of pictures, but this is my favorite. Living in Los Angeles for the past ten years, I appreciate growing up in Gualala on the north coast that much more.”

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

Harbor Seal pups riding on the backs of their moms, as photographed by Carolyn André

2013-05-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here's what Carolyn wrote, "“There were two pups diving off of the moms and doing somersaults underwater. Then, back up on Mom. Moms and pups – the annual show.”

The best place to see Harbor Seal mothers with their pups is at Tide Pool Rookery off The Sea Ranch or the mouth of the Russian River at Jenner.

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

Beautiful photo of a Great Blue Heron at the moment of liftoff

2013-05-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Great Blue Herons are year-round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are particularly graceful when they liftoff for flight. Paul Brewer caught magic the other day. Paul's photo looks like a painting.

And below a Great Blue Heron has caught an eel. I love the way the bird is reflected in the water.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here's the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Coltsfoot at our feet, as photographed by Margaret Lindgren - plus beautiful Redwood trees

2013-05-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

On a recent hike with clients, Margaret Lindgren came across the lovely group of Coltsfoot. It was the perfect place to get off their feet and take a rest.

Coltsfoot, Petasites palmatus, is found in moist wooded areas. It is a member of the Aster family.

On another hike, Margaret photographed these beautiful Redwood trees. She entitled this photo "Redwood movement."

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share these photos. To learn more about Margaret's coastal hikes, here's her website: http://www.unbeatenpath.weebly.com/

Fawns have appeared on the Mendonoma Coast and are they ever cute

2013-05-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Robert Scarola was watching a very pregnant Doe last week. He said she looked big enough to have two and that is just what happened. Here the mother Doe is nursing her fawns.

And one of the newborn fawns.

Here's what mom looked like just before giving birth.

New life on the Coast is always to be celebrated. Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Wild Rhododendrons are blooming on the Mendonoma Coast

2013-05-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

Pacific Rhododendrons, Rhododendron macrophyllum, are blooming in profusion now on the Coast. Driving along Highway One by Salt Point State Park, you can see them right along the road. Another spot close by to see them is Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve. There is a beautiful hiking trail there. This bush is just off our driveway in Anchor Bay.

This native wildflower grows in acidic soil. Their appearance speaks of springtime.

Spring wildflower glory on The Sea Ranch as photographed by Allen Vinson

2013-05-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Spring wildflowers are in glorious bloom. The bluffs at The Sea Ranch are a great place to see them. Allen Vinson recently took these beautiful photos.

Here is a field of Goldfields.

You can see that we've been having lovely weather.

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

Osprey hunting as photographed by Paul Brewer

2013-05-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Osprey nest that we can see with the help of our spotting scope is officially occupied. The female is sitting on the nest, presumably on eggs. Her mate will be hunting for the both of them.

Paul Brewer recently photographed this Osprey on the hunt.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Paul's photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Local Abalone Divers find red treasure

2013-05-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Local divers, Jack Likins and Eric Anderson, recently dove for Abalone. Here's what Jack had to say about the dive:

“Eric and I went for a dive last Wednesday at a secret spot off of The Sea Ranch coast. The wind was calm, the waves were calm and the water visibility was about 15 to 20 feet. It was a good first dive.

"Eric is 71 and I am 68 so we didn’t want to do anything too strenuous, especially on our first dive of the season.

“We were diving relatively deep for a low tide, from about 20 to 35 feet. Eric got a nice 9 ¾ inch abalone and I got two that were over 10 inches. Both Eric and I dive a lot, so we save our annual limits [24/season and three/day] for the larger abalones. We usually see hundreds of abalone on each dive, we seldom take one unless it is large or we need one for dinner.”

Here is the photo of Jack's two ten inchers:

Several abalone divers paid the ultimate price this past weekend. Eric Anderson has this poem on his website. He has kindly allowed me to share it here.

ODE to ABALONE DIVERS

by Abaloneten

When I’m dead and in my grave

No more abalone will I crave

At the top of my tombstone will be seen

“Here lies the body of an abalone diving fiend”

A little bit lower will be inscribed

“He nearly got the big one before he died”

At my funeral the preacher will say

“If it hadn’t been for abalone, he’d be alive today”

My family will be sad, and, they’ll wonder why,

So will my buddies when they come to say good bye

All I can figure, is, God wanted my soul

Cuz I think I located God’s favorite ab hole…

To learn much more about abalone, here is Eric's website: https://sites.google.com/site/abaloneten/

Thanks to Eric and Jack for sharing their photo and experience with us here.

A photo of a lifetime - a Ceanothus Silkmoth lays her eggs

2013-04-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Jerry Rudy had a Ceanothus Silkmoth pay a visit to his Timber Cove home. And she was pregnant. Here's what Jerry wrote, “This mother moth showed up on our doorstep last week. We set her on a native azalea and she promptly laid about 50 eggs. I believe they hatch in about 10 days and I am considering moving them onto our local Ceanothus.”

You can see the eggs on the azalea stalk. Amazing photo!

And here is a photo Wendy Bailey took a few weeks ago of this beautiful, big moth.

Thanks to Jerry and Wendy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Baby Blue Eyes are blooming on the Mendonoma Coast

2013-04-28T14:30:00.001-07:00

Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii, are blooming in sunny spots on the Coast. A great place to see them is in the meadows at the Stornetta Public Lands. Ron LeValley recently photographed a lovely group of them near Fort Bragg at MacKerricher State Park, obviously another great place to see them.

And here is a close-up of this wildflower. In Reny Parker's book, Wildflowers of Northern California's Wine Country & North Coast Ranges, she writes, "Baby Blue Eyes...the spring sky smiling up at itself."

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's beautiful photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

Oh, what a beautiful day!

2013-04-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

The air is soft and warm here on the Mendonoma Coast today and a string of good-weather days is in our immediate future. This would be a great time to visit the Coast.

Carolyn André was delivering Meals-On-Wheels to her clients recently. She took a break to photograph the coastline. Can you hear the murmur of the Pacific Ocean?

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

Two unique insects photographed by Harmony Susalla

2013-04-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Harmony Susalla found this moth on a flower pot near her home. I have to admit I have never seen one of these so Will Erickson to the rescue. He identified it as a Owlet Moth, Noctuidae.

Isn't it beautifully marked? These moths are preyed upon by bats, as they fly at night. But many of these moths have an organ in their ear that can sense a bat's call. The wing muscles then go into spasms, causing it to fly erratically. Mother Nature sure gave this moth an interesting escape mechanism!

The other insect Harmony photographed was seen at Gualala Point Regional Park. According to Will, it's a Scarab Beetle, Dichelonyx.

Thanks to Harmony for allowing me to share her photos and thanks to Will for identifying these beauties. To see Harmony's beautiful organic textiles, here's the link to her website: http://www.harmonyart.com/

There is a very special spot on The Sea Ranch where Pelagic Cormorants are nesting

2013-04-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last week Richard Kuehn took Rick and me to a very special spot on The Sea Ranch. We were told to be quiet as we made our way out to a point where we could observe the nesting Pelagic Cormorants on the protected bluff face. Below is a female sitting on eggs with her mate next to her.

And a resettling of the female allowed Rich to get a photo of her eggs. It looks like four eggs are in the nest.

There were perhaps a dozen or so nests and the males were coming and going, bringing food to the nesting females. It was magical to observe them and not disturb them in any way.

To hear their calls, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/pelagic_cormorant/sounds

Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photos and for showing Rick and me this spot. I will share a few more photos of this place soon.

Bonus sighting - the first Wild Rhododendrons have begun their bloom. Rick and I saw the first bloom yesterday, Thursday, April 25.

The Green Bridge as photographed by Kay Martin

2013-04-25T14:30:00.001-07:00

The iconic "Green Bridge" is also called the North Fork Bridge or the Gualala Road Bridge. It spans a portion of the Gualala River. Kay Martin recently photographed it and researched its history.

Kay kindly wrote up the history of this beautiful bridge for our recent Gualala River Sightings event with Friends of the Gualala River. This is what she learned:

North Fork Bridge: A Brief History

The North Fork Bridge (aka Gualala Road Bridge, "Green" Bridge) was built in 1880 by the Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenix, PA. It is referred to as an Iron Pratt Through Truss Bridge, made with cast iron tubes for its compression members and straps for its tension members. It is 130 feet in length and noteworthy for its major decorative detail and patented Phoenix column. Designed initially for railroad use, bridges of this type were made disassembled and shipped all over the world for assembly. This design feature allowed them to be moved from one site to another through time.

The travels of the North Fork Bridge are documented. It appears to have been initially shipped to Smith River, CA (about 30 miles north of Crescent City), where it served as a lumber mill railroad bridge. In 1909 it was moved to a lumber mill in Northwood, CA (between Monte Rio and Guerneville), and served as a railroad bridge spanning the Russian River. Finally, in 1941, it was moved to its current location on the Gualala River and converted to automobile use as a replacement for earlier bridges that had washed away.

The North Fork Bridge has two "sister" bridges in Sonoma County of identical design that were also made in 1880 by the Phoenix Bridge Company. One spans Big Sur Creek (at Geysers Road), and the other Haupt Creek (on Skagg Springs Road). The two sister railroad bridges were apparently also moved to Sonoma County from the Smith River site in 1909, although their interim relocation sites are not noted. According to CalTrans, the Haupt Creek bridge was erected at its current location and converted to automobile use in 1937.
Sources:
Susan M. Clark, Sonoma County Bridges: Thematic District, Historical Resources Survey, CA Department of Parks & Recreation, 1993.
Independent Coast Observer, The Picture Page, Issue Two, January 1972.
George Bush, personal communication.

Thanks to Kay for allowing me to share her photos and her history of this beautiful green bridge.

Harbor Seals are being born off the Mendonoma Coast and a look at a Lanugo Pup

2013-04-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

There are several secluded beaches where Harbor Seal moms give birth. One of them is Tide Pool Beach on The Sea Ranch. Craig Tooley photographed the first Harbor Seal to be born this year swimming with its mom. It's wonderful to watch as the pup bonds with its mother. Harbor Seals only have one pup at a time.

Here's an unusual sighting. This is a lanugo pup. It was born premature and still has its lanugo coat. You can see it is quite hairy. This coat is usually lost before birth but in this little pup's case it is still wearing it. The pup will shed it in the days to come.

You might see a pup on the beach and think it is abandoned. It is not! The mother leaves it there while she heads back into the ocean to feed. If you think a marine mammal is in distress, do not take matters into your own hands. Call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-7350 and they will send a trained volunteer out to assess the situation.

Over twenty pups have been born off The Sea Ranch so far with many more to come. It's a privilege to share the Coast with them.

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

The Point Cabrillo Light Station, as photographed by Dennis Latona

2013-04-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Point Cabrillo Light Station is fully restored and open to the public. Dennis Latona recently visited it and the surrounding state park. It is located just north of the town of Mendocino. You can learn much more about this special place at this link: www.pointcabrillo.org

Dennis also shared this photo of Noyo Harbor at night. Located at Fort Bragg, this is an active harbor for commercial and sport fishing. There are several great seafood restaurants at the harbor too.

And here are several Does with their yearlings. We are waiting for the first fawn of the spring to be born. Any day!

Thanks to Dennis for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Dennis' nature photography, here is his website: http://www.pinenutz.com/