Roundstonefarm Blog

Watch Egrets & Great Blue Herons courting & nesting at one of the major West Coast colonies.  Everyone enjoys their visit! The Preserve opened for the 2010 year on March 20th and will remain open to the public until July 11. The hours are: Weekend & Holidays - 10 am to 4pm; Tuesday thru Friday by appointment only; Closed Mondays. There is no charge but a $15 dollar donation is appreciated.

Located at: Audubon Canyon Ranch, just three miles north of Stinson Beach, CA. www.egret.org

Just at half-light this morning I heard a turkey gobbling down near the pond, but couldn’t quite pick it out visually. When picking up the morning paper in the driveway of Roundstone Farm, I saw it roosting in one of the big Cyprus trees. While fixing breakfast for the guests I started to hear more and more turkey’s calling. I assume they were in the trees also, but I didn’t see them initially. Anyway, while the guests and I were talking at breakfast I looked down by the pond and spotted a bunch of gobblers in full display. Man, they had their tails all fanned out and were strutting around all over the place trying to impress the ladies. Typical male reaction to Spring. And, it’s not only the turkeys, for I’m even starting to work out more…gotta look decent at the beach!

Coming up in late April, 2010 is a great venue of birding related activities. This four-day event, is the first of a planned annual birding festival in the Pt. Reyes area. Jules Evens, Rich Stallcup, David Wimpfheimer, and other well-known area experts will be leading many of the programs. Register on-line at www.PointReyesBirdingFestival.org.

A California thrush is, once again, taking dumps in my car. A couple of years ago I had a pair of California thrush that took it upon themselves to fly into my car whenever a window was open to defecate on my steering wheel. Years back, I had this big old, ugly, maroon Chevy Capri, which I loved because I could haul four boys with all their football gear back and forth to practice and games. I wasn’t the only one who liked it, for at that time there was a pair of thrush that would fly into my car whenever I left it in front of the garage at Roundstone Farm. I mean, they were in there minutes after I went into the B&B. And, they never got stuck in the car, even if the windows were only open a few inches. They were out of there in seconds when I came back outside.  Cheeky devils, they would leave a pile on the steering wheel just where I placed my hands. They also used to leave a pile on my head rest, only mine, not the passenger head rest. The boys would often say, “Gads Frank, there’s bird doo in your car.” Like it was supposed to bother me. Well, for a guy that washes his car, at the most twice a year…it didn’t. That pair of thrush were around a couple of years and I totally enjoyed their antics. I doubt that it’s the same birds, but whomever they are…they can take a dump in my car anytime. I mean, what are friends for?

What a day, sunny, clear and in the 60’s. Karen came down to the B&B where I was working on creating this Western Weekend’s Parade application and post card. If I may say so, it doesn’t look too bad, maybe a little utilitarian, but hey, the price is right. Anyway, we went up to Perry’s Deli in Inverness Park and each got a turkey sandwich. Loads of turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles…no mustard. Perry’s make the best sandwich in the area,  as far as I’m concerned. We parked at White House Pool and watched the tide coming in. I used to sit there in my truck and take great naps.  It wasn’t uncommon for people to tell me that they saw my truck there. Probably thought I was on a hike or something. There used to be a scrub jay there that would come to the driver side window most times I was there. I always gave it some crumbs, after which, it would sit on the hood and stare in the window at me. I really looked forward to seeing it. But it wasn’t there today. If still alive, it would be pretty old. Anyway, we totally enjoyed our visit to White House Pool.

Inn at Roundstone Farm, National Geographic Society and Bureau of Land Management, and others are partners in the North Coast GeoTourism MapGuide www.visitredwoodcoast.com. In fact, I am proud to have been named the first “MapGuide Manager” of this site. This site is an effort to provide exposure to all those local businesses, events, geographical sites and people that visitors want to see and experience, but never learn or hear about. This website is about the people and culture of the North Coast of California. I hope you will check-out www.visitredwoodcoast.com, for a lot of people put a lot of work into it, and we are proud of it.

Enjoy!

http://kiem-tv.com/node/472

Frank

From March 1 through June 30,  Drakes Estero is closed to protect the breeding colony of harbor seals. The closure applies to kayak and canoe usage but is applicable to any other water sport users around harbor seal colonies in the area.

The east side of Hog Island in Tomales Bay is also a land resting area for harbor seals year round. Visitors are asked to stay at least 100 yards away from resting seals. Never pick up a seal pup that may look abandoned. Although they may appear abandoned, they are most likely waiting for their mother to return. Pups are about two feet long and weigh about 25 pounds and are weaned at 30 days.

For more information check www.nps.gov/pore

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., well known autistic and author of a number of books; such as, “The Way I See It” and “Animals Make Us Human” will speak at the West Marin School, located at 11550 State Rte One in Point Reyes Station.

Pre-registration is required at www.malt.org/programs/lectures.php