Where sanderlings gather . . .

Sanderlings (Calidris alba)

According to Wikipedia; 

"The Sanderling is a small plump sandpiper, 18–20 cm in length. Its weight ranges from 40-100 g. The winter bird is very pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch. The juvenile bird is spangled black and white, and shows much more contrast than the adult. It can be told from other small wading birds, given good views, by its lack of a hind toe."

They gather, they run, they probe for food, and then suddenly they're in flight . . .

Just as suddenly, they've landed. This pattern continues dozens of times as they move down the beach.

 

"The sun, descending the altar of the year, pauses ritually on the steps of the summer months. The great sun overflows; the year burns on. All these autumn weeks I have watched the great disk going south along the horizon of moorlands beyond the marsh. The turn of the sun's wheel, always the imperative, bright sun."

                                                                   ~ Henry Beston

                                                                        'The Outermost House'

Diesel spill off Doran Beach, Bodega Bay

By Darris Nelson


Short post for now ~

When I arrived on the South East end of Doran Beach at about noon today I was met by a park ranger posting warning signs. Apparently a commercial fishing boat out of Fort Brag broke up on the rock near Pinnacle Rock last night. The vessel's owner was the only person aboard and he swam to safety. 

Please stay away from the area and do not let dogs swim in the water. The diesel fumes are very strong and had me dizzy as I was performing my monthly marine debris collection and data tracking today.

 By Darris Nelson

There are officials that are planning some sort of clean up effort. 

I will post more photos and information when I have time later this evening.

Hands Across the Sand in Bodega Bay

Please join us in 'Hands Across the Sand' event on Doran Beach in Bodega Bay, Saturday, August 4, 2012. Meet at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at the whale statue. We will join hands at 12:15 p.m.

  

Doran Beach

"Hands Across the Sand has been a global success with thousands of events in all 50 states and over 40 countries worldwide, from New Zealand to Hawaii. Joining hands is a powerful way to say NO to offshore drilling and YES to clean energy!"

Kelp message on Doran Beach

Bottlenose Dolphins in Bodega Bay . . .

Bottlenose dolphin ~ Doran Beach, Bodega Bay, CA ~ Darris Nelson

Two women vacationing in Bodega Bay pointed out a pod of Bottlenose dolphins that were frolicking and fishing about seventy five yards offshore.

Susan from Texas & Anna-Alise from NV

 
It was overcast and the light was getting dim. Although the photos aren't the greatest, they do give you a sense of my experience. If you're patient you'll actually get a good sighting and action on the video.

The dolphins seemed to be fishing in two groups. I believe there was a total of six dolphins in the pod possibly more.

 

I watched and filmed from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. At about 5:30 my right contact dried up and folded in my eye and rolled back someplace that I wasn't able to find. I kept shooting hoping I was getting some worthwhile images. I called my husband at about 6:00 p.m. because I had a two mile walk ahead of me and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face! Besides, I knew he wouldn't want to miss this rare event.

 

 

Someday I might take the time to edit my photos and video but in the meantime they're straight out of my Canon SX 30 point and shoot.

 

Harbor seal checking out the commotion

 
It was a beautiful evening at Doran Beach . . .  

 

Salmon Fishing in Bodega Bay

Anglers are out trolling for salmon in Bodega Bay.  I counted thirty three fishing boats at 8:00 p.m. A fellow beach walking friend told me that he and his wife counted over seventy (70) fishing boats off Bodega Head on Sunday!

Doran Beach, Bodega Bay

I'm not a fisherman (fisherwoman?) but the USAfishing website appears to be a reliable source for up to date fishing information from Alaska all the way down to Baja (two of my favorite places).

Doran Beach, Bodega Bay

According to the USAfishing website: "The salmon bite is still hit and miss with some private boats whacking 3 or 4 quick limits and others struggling to find a fish per rod." 

Doran Beach, Bodega Bay

Our Bodega Bay mornings have been warm and calm with winds picking up in the early afternoon continuing into early evening then settling down by nightfall. Not much fog here in Bodega Bay and the moon is waxing Gibbous at 63% of full. We'll have a full moon on July 3rd. These windless mornings have my friend Tom out and about with his cameras . . .

Fog lifting in Tomales Bay ~ Tom Reynolds, photographer

  
Come visit our fabulous, fun, Bodega Bay Farmers Market (featured in Michelle Anna Jordon's column in the Press Democrat) every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Bodega Bay Community Center!!

Bringin' home the greens . . .

Make it a beautiful stay in Bodega Bay! 


xxoo

Salmon Creek Art Walk 2012

Salmon Creek Art Walk open 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th. 

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

 

Salmon Creek Art Walk directions: From San Francisco, take Hwy 101 North to Petaluma. At Petaluma take the Washington St Exit. Turn left on Washington St. and continue all the way to Bodega Bay (The street name will change several times but will eventually turn into Hwy 1.) Hwy 1 will take you all the way to Bodega Bay! Don't turn off of Hwy 1. They are one mile North of Bodega Bay. Look for their signs.

Sand Castles and Kites event at Doran Beach ~ May 5th 11:00 until 4:00 at Doran Beach, 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay. 

Tom Reynolds 2012, photographer

  

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

Darris Nelson 2012, photographer

It's a beautiful, calm day . . . come out enjoy the beach!