The waves have been BIG!

Yesterday on a trip down the Coast, Rick and I were amazed at the size of the waves. We have had heavy surf for some days now. John Sperry photographed the waves at Gerstle Cove at Salt Point State Park.

And Rozann Grunig photographed waves off of The Sea Ranch. You can feel the power of the Pacific Ocean just by looking at her photo.

And the photo below shows a big wave hitting Gualala Point Island, which is just off the north end of The Sea Ranch.

Thanks to John and Rozann for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Rozann's nature photography, here is the link to her website: http://highway1designs.com/

When the waves are big, the place to go is Hearn Gulch!

Paul Brewer went to Hearn Gulch recently, knowing the ocean was very active. He got two wonderful photos.

On the left side there is a sea tunnel. Paul got the setting sun shinning through the tunnel just as the blowhole went off on the right side. Just magnificent!

A little earlier Paul got the blowhole in action. Can you hear the "WHOMP!" sound?

Hearn Gulch is just north of Iversen Road in Mendocino County. You can park at mile marker 10.00. What a wonderful addition to the Mendonoma Coast, thanks to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy and other partners. You can find out more of our newer open spaces at RCLC's website a : http://www.rc-lc.org/

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

A walk in the woods is sure to bring you joy.

Rick and I are fortunate to have trails weaving their way into a mixed forest. Huckleberry, our golden retriever, demands two walks a day, rain or shine. So we hike the forest every day. It's wonderful to see the light slanting through the trees.

Craig Tooley recently captured a beautiful photo that speaks to the serenity and beauty of a forest.

I'd certainly take this path...would you?

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

The Point Arena Lighthouse is a great place to visit.

The Point Arena Lighthouse is on a strip of land that is the closest land on the continental United States to the Hawaiian Islands. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides. Kris Paden recently visited and took this photo of the lighthouse.

If you climb to the top of the lighthouse, you can look down on an interesting crater, called Devil's Punchbowl. Carolyn André recently took this photo.

This was once a small sinkhole that has steadily been enlarged by weather and the surging tides over the years.

The lighthouse is a great place to whale watch, see birds and other wildlife. To learn more about the lighthouse, here is a link to their website: http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/index.html

Thanks to Kris and Carolyn for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

A Burrowing Owl has taken up residence at The Sea Ranch.

I have to admit it - I love owls. Richard Kuehn recently saw and photographed a Burrowing Owl on the north end of The Sea Ranch, the first one he has seen there in five years.

This little owl can be seen hunting for insects in the day and night. It's a smart owl too. Burrowing Owls put dung from other critters around the outside of their nests. That attracts dung beetles, which they love to eat.

To hear the call of this owl, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/burrowing_owl/sounds

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

To see several photos of another little owl that landed on our deck railing, a Northern Pygmy Owl, here's the link to that post: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2011/08/northern-pygmy-owl-paid-us-visit-in.html

Dramatic waves, as photographed by Tom Eckles.

The Pacific Ocean is roaring again today. This morning the ocean looked like corduroy, with big swells spaced evenly apart. Tom Eckles recently photographed the dramatic scene.

You can almost hear the ocean and feel the salt spray by looking at Tom's photo.

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

A few edible mushrooms have appeared despite the lack of rain.

A few Matsutakes appeared in the same spot they fruit every year. Usually there is an undulating string of at least fifteen Matsutakes but this year only four have sprouted.

 Rozann Grunig took this photo of me holding a nice Matsutake.

And here is a photo of several Shrimp Russulas. They like our Shore Pine habitat, just off our driveway. Our golden retriever, Huckleberry, likes them too. It's a race to see who gets them first - him or me.

We are longing for rain but the weather is remarkably autumn-like - warm and dry as a bone. If it rains, I hope to see Black Trumpets, Hedgehogs and Winter Chanterelles. May it rain soon!

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

It's always a treat to see our largest woodpecker - the Pileated Woodpecker.

Ron McMath and Carolyn Young watched a Pileated Woodpecker looking for bugs on an old apple tree on the Gualala ridge recently. Ron took several photos of this prehistoric-looking bird. Pileateds drill rectangular-shaped holes looking for their favorite food, carpenter ants.

 If you could see this big woodpecker in flight, you'd see its wingspan is nearly thirty inches!

Pileated Woodpeckers have a very distinctive call. You can hear it at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at this link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/pileated_woodpecker/sounds

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's photography, here's the link to his website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ron-mcmath.html

The Pacific Ocean is roaring!

Big swells create big crashing waves. The Pacific Ocean today is proud and loud! Margaret Lindgren and her husband found a spot at Salt Point State Park close enough to feel the salt spray but far enough back to be safe.

The power of the ocean can make you feel great exhilaration and joy!

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you. To see Margaret's website of various hiking experiences here on the Mendonoma Coast, here is her website: www.unbeatenpath.weebly.com

A serious sunset with serious people - at least that is how Carolyn André sees it!

Calm, clear days followed by star-spangled nights, the winter that feels like autumn continues. Last night's sun beginning to set allowed Carolyn André to get a beautiful photo.

The sun has laid down a golden stairway across the Pacific Ocean, just lovely.

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

Martin Steinpress joins the exclusive club of those who have photographed a green flash.

Martin Steinpress captured a big of magic recently - a green flash.

Martin also saw the food chain in action at the Gualala River. Below a River Otter has nabbed a Gull and is taking it to shore for its lunch. I believe there is a second River Otter behind the one carrying the Gull. They do hunt cooperatively.

River Otters swim underneath a group of unsuspecting Gulls and then grabs one for dinner. A River Otter was seen taking a Brown Pelican this way. It can be hard to see but it is part of our natural world.

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

To see a photo of a  green flash that turned into a blue flash and then a purple flash, photographed by Ron LeValley, here is the link: http://mendonomasightings.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-green-flash-that-turned-into.html

An American Kestrel...is it practicing martial arts?

That's what Craig Tooley theorizes! Craig photographed this American Kestrel in a unique pose.

This small falcon eats insects, snatching them out of the air. Am. Kestrels are year round residents on the Mendonoma Coast.

To hear the call of this bird, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_kestrel/sounds

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

Two Bald Eagles - a male and a female - continue to be seen over the Gualala River.

Rick and I went to Gualala Point Regional Park this morning, hoping to see the Bald Eagle pair. No luck, darn it. We stopped to talk to a visitor from Michigan and he related that he saw one yesterday. In fact, it flew 15 feet over his head!

Phil Wendt recently photographed the pair.

In an exciting development, the male Bald Eagle was seen gathering nesting materials. We are wishing and hoping this pair builds a nest by the river. The biggest concern is that people might get too close in their desire to photograph them. So stay a safe distance away, using your longest lens. We don't want to scare them or disturb them in any way.

To see more of Phil's photography, including more photos of these Bald Eagles, here is the link to his website: http://philwendt.com/

And thanks to Phil for allowing me to share these photos with you here.

Another photo from Sunday's supersized surf - a Monster wave!

Richard Hansen took this photo of a Monster wave attacking - or about to hug - Castle Rock, which is off of Gualala. Can you see the monster?

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

Big waves are hitting the Mendonoma Coast today!

Big beautiful waves are crashing against the shore. Craig Tooley was out this morning and photographed the fury.

Craig noticed this Great Blue Heron on top of a tree, watching the waves come in.

Today is a good day to give the Pacific Ocean her due. Never turn your back on the ocean, as we have sleeper waves that can catch people unawares. Also the bluffs crumble so you don't want to stand close to the edge when big waves hit the coast. Just stay back a ways and enjoy the majesty of the Pacific Ocean.

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

Spectacular photo of the sunset reflected in the Gualala River lagoon by Joel Chaban.

The clouds set the table for a beautiful scene and Joel Chaban was there with his camera.

Yes, the clouds are reflected in the Gualala River. You can see the huge sandbank just above the river. Since we have had very little rain, the Gualala is still closed to the Pacific Ocean. Bring on the rain, Mother Nature!

Thanks to Joel for allowing me to share his photo with you here. Joel is active in protecting this wild river. To learn much more about the Gualala River, you can visit the Friends of the Gualala River's website at: gualalariver.org.

A glistening Pacific Ocean plus a Gray Whale spout, as photographed by Ralph Matheson.

Ralph and Larain Matheson saw four whales spout south of Cook’s Beach just before New Years.  Larain said, "It looked like a fountain that kept spouting – quite a show.” Ralph’s photo shows you the bushy spout of a Gray Whale. If you could see it straight on, you would see it is heart-shaped.

 And below is a photo of the glistening Pacific Ocean, sparkling as if it were sprinkled with diamonds.

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

Great Blue Heron nabs its meal.

Kathy Bishop was observing this Great Blue Heron. Lucky for us that she had her camera along. She got this photo of the Heron with a tasty cabezon.

Great Blue Herons are very graceful in flight, with slow wing beats. When hunting for fish, they stand still and then quickly strike at their prey. They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

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

Thanks to Kathy for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see much more of her photography, here is a link to her website: http://kathleen-bishop.artistwebsites.com/

This morning's sunrise had those on the Mendonoma Coast gasping in wonder.

When the sunrise in the east is reflected in clouds and the ocean, it can be amazing. That's what happened this morning. It doesn't last long, just a few minutes. Here's a photo taken from our deck in Anchor Bay. Notice that the ocean is glowing pink!

Richard Hansen took this one from his home in Gualala, which overlooks Castle Rock.

And Rich Kuehn photographed this morning's sunrise from his home on The Sea Ranch.

What a beautiful sunrise, a gift from Mother Nature! Thanks to Richard and Rich for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Two adult Bald Eagles have been seen at the Gualala River.

Two Bald Eagles have been making  numerous appearances at the Gualala River. They've been seen perched together on two logs and flying over the river. Ken Bailey photographed them this past week. In the first photo, one of the Bald Eagles takes flight, reflected in the river.

And below is a photo of the pair. This photo appeared on page one of this week's Independent Coast Observer, the best small town paper around. (I may be a bit biased...)

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you. To see much more of Ken's photography, including underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

Wild Mushrooms have been few and far between but Eric Estrada found himself a nice King Bolete.

We long for rain. It has been sunny, warm and dry, dry, dry. So it's a surprise that any mushrooms would appear. We did have some rain last month, enough for at least one King Bolete. Eric Estrada found Boletus edulis several weeks ago and his brother, Ricky Estrada, took the photo.

Ricky wrote, “I was recently home and to my great surprise have found that the rains have brought some mushrooms up. The great Bolete is back and mushroom pickers should be excited to get back to the outdoors. [Here] is a picture of my little brother, Eric Estrada, who is nine years old and an avid mushroom hunter. He knows how to pick ‘em, and won’t put down his mushroom book. In his hands is a King Bolete found in the woods on the ridge. Happy mushroom picking!”

Thanks to Ricky for allowing me to share his photo and thanks to Eric for sharing his joy in finding this edible mushroom.

Surfing off Arena Cove can be great and some views of the new addition of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.

Allen Vinson recently visited the new addition to the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. You access this beautiful land behind the Point Arena City Hall. While there Allen had some wonderful sightings. He also got this great photo of a fellow enjoying the waves off Arena Cove.

Allen visited at low tide as you can see by the photo below.

And he spotted a beautiful Ferruginous Hawk on top a tree.

I love this photo below of the big hawk taking off.

And here the hawk is soaring, perhaps looking for a meal.

And this last photo shows the hawk lit up by the sun.

We are very happy that these new lands were acquired and made available to all. They now form another portion of the California Coastal Trail.

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

Happy New Year! May 2014 be filled with wonder and joy.