The white pelicans usually fish in groups and dunk from the surface - unlike the brown pelicans, who dive for their food. They are often right in front of "At the Bay's Edge" and are just beautiful to watch.

Bodega Bay has been named one of the best bird watching sites in Sonoma County by the Audobon Society.

For a more personal experience, our own resident seagull Charlie, lives on our deck(s) and will talk to you during your visit. You can also see heron, cormorants, sandpipers, swallows, hummingbirds, seagulls, and ducks right from your deck "At the Bay's Edge".....or go exploring along the many hiking trails within a few miles from the house.


Happy bird watching!

The sandpipers were right in front of the house today at low tide....our guests spent the morning just watching them feed.

Charlie the Gull is a frequent visitor to "At the Bay's Edge"...and he often brings his friends along to visit. All of our guests enjoy him....he squawks a lot and flies right in front of the windows so you always know which one is Charlie. A guest took these photos this weekend.

The family of river otters is back, I haven't seen them since last November! This family of 6 plays and feeds right in front of "At the Bay's Edge" ... so great to see them again.

Check my original posting for more otter pictures!

The tides have been very low this week and it's just mesmerizing to me to watch all of the fishing activity...here is just one shot of a heron and cormorants fishing right in front of the house.

Many of my guests are suprised to learn that Bodega Bay is one of the best birding spots in Sonoma County. More rare birds have been spotted here than in any other area in Sonoma County. Madrone Audubon organizes many birding trips to Bodega Bay, including Walkabouts, Field Trips and Beginners Bird Walks.

Check out the Audobon's monthly calendar for Bird Watching in Bodega Bay....it details who you can expect to see.

Molly (my Newfoundland) and I took a walk over to Bodega Bay's Spud Point Marina today....and saw this duo! She sees / hears them all the time as they swim by the house and poke their heads up for a look....but this is the first time she's seen them out of the water and she wasn't quite sure what to make of them!

The cormorants are always here, they fish in front of the house by day. After fishing, they go to the piers to dry their wings by holding them out in the sun. I've read that this is because their feathers are not waterproofed....which helps them dive more quickly.

They rest in the tree above the house at night in large groups. They have quite a distinctive call and it's quite a symphony to listen to!

We've enjoyed watching a family of 5 river otters .... they've been out daily for a few weeks. It's thrilling to see them play and feed right in front of the house.

The otters can dive up to 60 feet and run as fast as a human. Here's a great page with more information on these otters.

Haven't seen Sam(antha) the Monrovian Duck for a few days...but she's been busy!

She left an egg on the porch...then took a drink from her water bowl and was on her way.

The white pelicans are summertime residents of Bodega Bay….always good to see them back. They travel in flocks, and bob for their food rather than dive. They’re much larger than the brown pelicans. They come by the house at low tide. You just see a white mass paddling our way.

I took this photo from the house.

Molly just watches Sam, and Sam just watches Molly.

Sam is a Muscovy Duck who has taken up part-time residence on my porch. Of course, the fact that she eats well here and has her own water bowl probably has nothing to do with it.

Charlie the seagull has been a frequent visitor to my deck since I moved here in 1999. He squawks loudly if any other bird comes near the deck. He’s so busy keeping everyone else away that he doesn’t get much to eat unless you put food down right on the rail where he spends his time.