After many days of rain, mudslides, downed trees and general weather mayhem in the Napa Valley- the sun came out! So we decided it was a good day to pack up the old trusty van with pillows, comfy pad and sleeping bags and venture to Bodega Bay for the day. It was a beautiful day with no wind and a high tide. Our first stop was The Tides Restaurant in Bodega Bay. Since it was a Monday we got right in and snagged a seat at the window. We had a great lunch and watched the crab boats going in and out of the harbor. We also saw some fishing seals and diving ducks from our window on the sea. It was a great location and a wonderful start to our day. We then drove up to Bodega Head and situated our van so that the back of the van was facing the ocean. With the back door of the van up we had a beautiful view of the ocean and could listen to the waves hitting the rocks below. We could also lay in the back of the van and read our books in comfort. (an aside- I was reading the last of the Midnight Louie mysteries- number 28. After 25 years the author is ending this series and I will miss Midnight Louie and his band of humans and cat friends.)
We decided to take the trail walk the goes around the promontory. From this walk you can see the opening to Tomales Bay, the open ocean, the protected opening to Bodega Bay and Doran Beach. It is quite the view.
As we approached a gnarled cypress tree- lo- what did I see but my Bodega Bay raven friends. They were perched up in the tree watching our approach. I just happened to have a bag of unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell in my pocket. I tossed some out but they landed in the deep wet grass and the ravens had a hard time seeing them. So I put some on the dirt path and here they came! They followed us for awhile and I would put peanuts on the trail as we walked. It was all good fun. We also saw a great blue heron and a great white egret sitting in the raven tree. All and all it was a great sight. The heron and egret were not interested in the peanuts.
When we got back to the van I saw the ravens sitting on a small rise above the parking lot. That crafty pair were watching me to see if I had anymore peanuts. I had saved a few. As soon as I approached the ravens they strutted down the small hill toward me. They had fingered me, those crafty birds! I had a hard time getting the peanuts to the ravens as we had attracted a crowd of noisy seagulls. I then had to wait for the seagulls to lose interest before I could resume feeding the ravens. I soon ran out of peanuts and all I had left was an oat breakfast bar package. I broke the bars up into 4 pieces and threw them to the ravens. One raven picked up three pieces and the other raven got one. They were immediately chased by the seagulls but did not drop any of the food. From now on I will give the ravens their snacks away from the parking lot where the seagulls hang out.
So all and all it was a great beautiful day at Bodega Bay. We finished the day by stopping by the shack that sells chowder (yum yum) and bought some for our dinner at home that night. It was all special and I am grateful that I live so close to the ocean and such a beautiful spot. It was also special because I had my Valentine Chuck with me for the days adventure.
We decided to take the trail walk the goes around the promontory. From this walk you can see the opening to Tomales Bay, the open ocean, the protected opening to Bodega Bay and Doran Beach. It is quite the view.
As we approached a gnarled cypress tree- lo- what did I see but my Bodega Bay raven friends. They were perched up in the tree watching our approach. I just happened to have a bag of unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell in my pocket. I tossed some out but they landed in the deep wet grass and the ravens had a hard time seeing them. So I put some on the dirt path and here they came! They followed us for awhile and I would put peanuts on the trail as we walked. It was all good fun. We also saw a great blue heron and a great white egret sitting in the raven tree. All and all it was a great sight. The heron and egret were not interested in the peanuts.
When we got back to the van I saw the ravens sitting on a small rise above the parking lot. That crafty pair were watching me to see if I had anymore peanuts. I had saved a few. As soon as I approached the ravens they strutted down the small hill toward me. They had fingered me, those crafty birds! I had a hard time getting the peanuts to the ravens as we had attracted a crowd of noisy seagulls. I then had to wait for the seagulls to lose interest before I could resume feeding the ravens. I soon ran out of peanuts and all I had left was an oat breakfast bar package. I broke the bars up into 4 pieces and threw them to the ravens. One raven picked up three pieces and the other raven got one. They were immediately chased by the seagulls but did not drop any of the food. From now on I will give the ravens their snacks away from the parking lot where the seagulls hang out.
So all and all it was a great beautiful day at Bodega Bay. We finished the day by stopping by the shack that sells chowder (yum yum) and bought some for our dinner at home that night. It was all special and I am grateful that I live so close to the ocean and such a beautiful spot. It was also special because I had my Valentine Chuck with me for the days adventure.
