I love Nudibranchs!

At low tide the ocean sometimes reveals one of the exotic creatures that lives within. Jodi Goshorn photographed a Nudibranch, a sea mollusk that sheds its shell after its larval stage. They are commonly called Sea Slugs and they are uncommonly beautiful.

Thanks to Joni for allowing me to share her photo with you.

The sunset on Dec. 16th was a work of art by Mother Nature.

Craig Tooley caught this magnificent photo of the Dec. 16th sunset.

The beach, rocks, surf and the sunset just beginning, this photo has it all.

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

An Octopus was tossed up onto the beach by high surf at The Sea Ranch.

When the Pacific Ocean works itself into a frenzy, strange things can happen. Noel Olson and her son found an Octopus tossed up onto the beach. It was alive and Noel's son got it back in the water. This first photo is what the octopus looked like when it got back in the water. It changed its color to match the coral and rocks.

 Below is what it looked like out of the water, a yellow-beige.

Hooray to Noel and her son for saving this Octopus! And thanks to Noel for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

There are dark clouds over the ocean and perhaps we will get some much-needed rain. The wind has picked up too after many days of calm weather. Do your rain dance!

Bill Lange got a beautiful photo of the Jenner Grade.

Recently Bill Lange was traveling along Highway One. He captured this beautiful photo near the Jenner Grade.

The fog covers the Pacific Ocean and drifts up the bluffs - just lovely.

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

Recent Sunset photos - they are breathtaking!

Robert Scarola photographed a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds silhouetted by the setting sun.

And Bettye Winters photographed a magnificent sunset near Irish Beach.

Thanks to Robert and Bettye for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

December on the Mendonoma Coast!

Yes, we need rain. But what we are getting are beautiful, sunny days, albeit very cold for the coast. Allen Vinson caught this lovely sight of Gulls in the water yesterday, near Walk On Beach on The Sea Ranch.

The sunrises and sunsets this past week have been heavenly. I will share some of them tomorrow.

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

The southward migration of Gray Whales has begun!

For the past four days the Pacific Ocean has been calm with no whitecaps. That has allowed many to see the vanguard of the southward migration of Gray Whales.

Yesterday this young Gray Whale, called a subadult, was seen just off Gualala Point Island. Richard Kuehn got this photo.

On Thursday, Dec. 11th Gray Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions and Gulls were feasting on what we think was a school of anchovies. All this action took place off The Sea Ranch. On Wednesday a pod of Gray Whales was seen off the Point Arena Lighthouse. They are on the move, headed for Baja California where the pregnant females will give birth in the weeks and months to come.

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