Saturday evening. It’s almost 9 pm and the sun has just set during a crisp summer night here in the Sea Ranch. I have only a week left and my replacement came two nights ago. The substitute: no other than the acclaimed seabird expert and recent Pomona graduate, Jamie . Even though he’s only been a Sea-Rancher for two days, he’s already an expert at spotting all the mobile gull chicks and is on a first-name basis with our beloved PECOs.
Jamie takes photos of the PECO chicks at Breaker Reach.
He’s also checked out prime spots for some possible free diving and surfing, and has even purchased a fishing license and a spear with which to get his next dinner.
With a wide grin, Jamie shows of his new spear and fishing license.
We’ve also moved into a new house, thanks to some very generous local residents. It’s up in the redwoods and will be our abode for the next week, until I leave for home and Jamie takes over for the next month.
Our new housing arrangement, beautifully surrounded by picturesque redwood trees.
And, as an added bonus, here are some more GPI-seabird photos, professionally taken from my iPhone through a scope. Enjoy, and till then! -Ramon
Brandt’s Cormorants and Common Murres share this spot of Gualala Point Island and “mingle” with one another.
Adult Western Gulls watch over their cryptically-colored young. How many chicks can you spot?
A sight not too often witnessed, we saw several Heerman’s Gulls make a pitstop on the island.
And of course, fog to limit visibility.