The storms have the Pacific Ocean roaring!

With calm, dry weather forecast the Pacific Ocean will settle down. But with the several storms that hit late last week the ocean was in full voice. Robert Scarola photographed some big waves recently at Gualala Point Regional Park. The couple in the photo had to run from the big surf.

 The couple below is on the sandbar, a dangerous place to be when the Gualala River is running so fast.

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you.

Several more photos of the fantastic rainbow just as the sun was setting on March 23

These photos are so beautiful. On March 23 we had such an unusual cloud show in the west and a magnificent rainbow formed inland. Paul Brewer photographed the rainbow over Gualala. It looks like a magical land.

And George Bush photographed it just as the sun was setting from The Sea Ranch.

 You can see the setting sun reflected on the houses below. Quite a beautiful event!

Thanks to George and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here. You can much more of Paul's nature photography at: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Western Trillium heaven as photographed by Kay Martin

Trilliums have been blooming on the Mendonoma Coast. Kay Martin came across what she calls Nature's planter - an old section of a Redwood Tree.

Peter Baye told me this is called a "nursery log." Below is a close-up of the Trilliums. You can tell they are newly bloomed as the blossoms are white. With age they will turn pink and then purple.

Never pick these wildflowers - it might take four or five years for the plant to recover and bloom again. Just enjoy them as Mother Nature has placed them.

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

Juvenile Elephant Seal paid a visit to Anchor Bay Beach

Annie Mills couldn't believe her eyes when she and her friend came across this juvenile Elephant Seal.

They quickly leashed their dogs and left the little one in peace. They were worried it might be ill but it was gone the next day so apparently it was just resting up on the beach. It looks mighty comfortable, doesn't it?

It's good to remember that you should never "rescue" a pup. Call the Marine Mammal Center at 415)289-SEAL (-7325). They will call a local volunteer to come out and assess the situation.

News flash! The first Harbor Seal pup was born this week in a protected cove on The Sea Ranch. There are many pregnant moms waiting to give birth in the days to come.

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

North Coast Photographers Group has their opening at the Dolphin Gallery tomorrow afternoon, April 6 at 5 p.m.

Craig Tooley, a frequent contributor to this blog, is curating the exhibit of the North Coast Photographers Group. The grand opening is tomorrow at 5 pm at the Dolphin Gallery in Gualala. Craig says, "The exhibit photos consist primarily of nature photographs taken along the majestic Northern California coast. Don't miss it!"

Here are a few of Craig's photos. I don't know if any of these will be in the exhibit but I thought you'd enjoy seeing them here. Below is a Northern Flicker.

 And here is a very young Fox Kit.

 And here is a House Finch giving you a wave.

Good luck to Craig and the rest of the photography group. They sure have some awesome material to work with here on the Mendonoma Coast.

To see much more of Craig's photography, here's the link: www.ruffimage.com

Rainbows just before sunset - a Mendonoma Treat!

Last week a storm system gave us rainbows just before sunset, rather an unusual occurrence. Robert Scarola photographed the event in Gualala.

The first photo shows the rainbow beginning.

And the rainbow grows.

This was the sunset to the west.

 The rainbow then arched across the sky.

 And finally the right side of the rainbow formed a double.

Here's what Robert had to say about this event: "It was still lightly raining and misting on the hills behind our house, and as I watched a rainbow began to form next to a large tree opposite our back deck. It then grew, formed a double, arched at the top, started down to the left, and completed into a full arch. It was so close I could almost touch it, and I did not have a lens that was wide angle enough to capture the whole incredible sight. So I took this series with the lens I have. (I am now in the market for a wide angle lens!). Maybe people can get a feel for how this incredible magical event formed in front of my eyes as I watched. It was like Buddha decided to have some fun and do a sand painting in the sky for all of us still hanging out down here. As it faded away, I went to the other side of the house and took the photo of the sunset clouds to the west. Wow, is about all I can say."

Thanks to Robert for his sighting and for allowing me to share his lovely photos with you here.

A Burrowing Owl was photographed by Ron LeValley

Cute as can be, a Burrowing Owl was recently photographed by Coastal photographer Ron LeValley.

Here's what Ron wrote about his photo: "The burrowing owl that I posted a photo of in January is still present. They usually don't stay on the coast in the spring and summer, as they nest inland. But this one is still here. It's unusual to see a Burrowing Owl with ice plant.This photograph was taken at MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino County, California on March 17, 2013."

This small Owl eats insects. To hear its call, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/burrowing_owl/sounds

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