Fri-Sunday, May 15-17

Mendocino County, three hours north of the Bay Area, is renowned for its rugged seacoast, rural charm and deep wild forests. Great headlands are pounded by enormous Pacific breakers, and unspoiled rivers like the Navarro and Albion meet the sea to create expansive beaches. The town of Mendocino itself appears to be a small, transplanted New England village. State parks embrace the coastline, including McKerricher, Van Damme and Russian Gulch. These parks are home to many forms of wildlife, birds and marine mammals. Loons, Black oystercatchers and turnstones, together with many species of ducks and songbirds, gulls and cormorants, patrol the oceans and forests. Among the headlands and crashing surf we’ll look for Surfbirds and other shorebirds, Pelagic cormorants, guillemots, mergansers and the elusive Harlequin, a spectacular sea duck. Off the coast we may spot whales on their epic migration north. Inland, we’ll search the deep conifer woodlands for warblers, thrushes and kinglets, and note colorful mushrooms on the forest floor. The whole Mendocino area has a unique 19th century feeling with wonderful restaurants, bookstores and craft shops. Nature photography opportunities are everywhere. We’ll be staying at the Beach House Inn in nearby Ft. Bragg, but there are many B&Bs available in the area. Lodging and meals are not included in the tour cost. Spectacular marine, coastline and woodland photography.