Cohos spawning in Olema Creek. Now is the time, pretty cool. Via Loretta Farley's Park Wavelengths email.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Allioooooop found this little guy down in Bolinas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BA

Secret art spot of the day. Do you know where to find this gem? Bonus points if you know who did it.

MISSING PERSON: "Shuqin Zhang, 22 year old, Asian Female, last seen in Berkeley on January 7 at 1:30 a.m. Shuqin's vehicle was found at Point Reyes near the lighthouse area. The vehicle was unoccupied and search efforts are underway. The National Park Service, US Coast Guard and Marin County Search and Rescue are currently looking for Shuqin. Berkeley PD investigators are on scene and coordinating with those agencies. We are asking anyone who may have seen Shuqin or her vehicle coming into the area to contact the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900."
https://local.nixle.com/alert/

Reposting this story about a local physican who worked at the Coastal Health Alliance in West Marin and recently had her medical license suspended. A few people felt posting her picture and story details was not appropriate on FB. If you wish to read the full story, you can go to the Marin IJ article here: http://www.marinij.com/article
I'd be curious to hear what other people think, its an interesting dialogue about private versus personal information, community news, social media, etc.

Lots of pictures of the 'ghost ship' of Point Reyes on social media, this one definitely stands out. Photo by Michael Graef.
https://twitter.com/MikeyGraef

From CHPMarin at 6:47am: "Where there's flooding we usually find debris as well. Report of a tree down on Lucas Vly Rd near Nicasio Vly Rd. Avoid the area."

Storm number three (the big one) coming tonight: "Prepare today for tomorrows commute by planning to leave early. The @NWSBayArea has issued a flash flood watch for much of #Marin. #ElNino" - CHPMarin

Lots of rain and lots of birds at Chicken Ranch Beach. Anyone know why? Sitting out the storm? Herring?

Very sad, thanks to the rescue crews for the time they put in. "Authorities believe a body found just south of McClure’s Beach Sunday was that of a 62-year-old San Jose man reported missing the day before.Searchers discovered the body about 11 a.m. about 100 feet down a cliff, according to Lt. Doug Pittman, county sheriff’s spokesman.Authorities think the man may have stumbled over the cliff." MORE INFO: http://www.marinij.com/general

(thx to Richard James for photo)

Breaking update from @pointreyesnps:
"Tolay, the elephant seal relocated from Highway 37, gave birth to a pup yesterday! The birth was observed from the elephant seal overlook at Chimney Rock. Photo by Winter Wildlife Docent, Jim Rolka"

This is a big deal. "Veteran Supervisor Steve Kinsey’s decision to call it quits without an heir apparent has triggered a behind-the-scenes political scramble. Only one candidate, Alex Easton-Brown, has declared an intention to run for the seat at stake on the June ballot, but several others are lining up, including Kinsey’s political aide, David Escobar of Pittsburg." FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/governm

A dramatic sky in Point Reyes tonight with whales spouting everywhere. (Sorry for re-post, technical issue)

The first sunset of 2016, here's to a good year! (Thx AN)

In spite of freezing cold temperatures, a 'spare the air' alert has been issued for tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 3). "First-time violators have the option of taking a wood smoke awareness class, online or by mail, in lieu of paying a $100 ticket. Second violations will result in a $500 ticket, and subsequent ticket amounts go higher."
MORE INFO HERE: http://www.marinij.com/environ

ALERT! Super icy on the roads this morning, people are reporting sliding all over Sir Francis Drake. Black ice too. Use extreme caution when driving.

Here is Tolay, the wayward pregnant elephant seal, out at the elephant seal overlook in Point Reyes. Great job by everybody who worked really hard to make this a happy ending. She is tagged, so they'll be able to follow her general progress.
http://www.marinscope.com/saus

"Tolay" the unfortunate pregnant elephant seal who caused a major traffic jam on Hwy 37 the last two days was finally picked up and transported to Point Reyes to be released out at Chimney Rock. Good luck out there Tolay! - More: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news

Some members of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin were out at the elephant seal overlook in Point Reyes today when their fourteen year old son spotted this rare (and threatened) green sea turtle. Amazing. (Thx MP) EAC FB: https://www.facebook.com/eacma

"Endangered coho salmon are riding waves of rain into Marin in numbers not seen in a decade. “It’s very busy, there are a lot of coho out there,” said Greg Andrew, fishery program manager for the water district. “It’s a very active time.” The agency is documenting coho swimming by its antenna just upstream of Point Reyes Station. The antenna detects tags that were implanted in the fish when they were fry. Each tag has a unique number that allows identification and data collection."

http://www.marinij.com/environ

The cold front moving in made the sky look like a painting tonight out at North Beach in Point Reyes. Amazing colors.

Bird Report: Two bald eagles were seen by the Estero trail two days ago, there are lots of burrowing owls are in the park right now and a golden eagle was seen on the Point Reyes/Petaluma road last week. Yesterday folks spotted a ferruginous and a sharp shinned hawk by Abbotts. Get out there! (thx CP)

Look for the rare Christmas full moon tonight. First one since 1977. The "Full Cold Moon".

The Christmas Asteroid! "Near-Earth asteroid 2003 SD220 will pass safely, at more than 28 times the moon’s distance, on Christmas Eve."

http://earthsky.org/space/chri

Some hearty carolers brave the cold in Inverness to bring some local Christmas cheer tonight. (Thx DW)

"Military officials say a streak of light seen burning across the sky last night was debris from a Russian rocket re-entering the atmosphere." Did anyone see it?

http://www.sfgate.com/news/sci

Very important warning, please share. Let's not have another Arch Rock situation.

TWMF had our phone knocked out by rain, sorry for the slow updates. Looks like major flooding all around West Marin today with Stinson Beach having some problems with rock slides and downed trees. Haven't seen the parking lot do this in awhile. (Thx DW).

A pretty epic sunrise this morning before the rain moved in.

The Point Reyes Light wins the week with this cover shot by Brian Ojalvo. King Bolete!!!

"The 330-acre Gallagher Ranch in Point Reyes Station, complete with redwood trees, salmon habitat and an old rail line that could become a key trail link, will remain in the family largely as open space under a $1.5 million conservation deal approved by Marin County officials."

http://www.marinij.com/busines

Almost opening day and things are getting all force be with you on Nicasio Valley Rd. (Thx AN)

Rama Day shared this photo of some storm damage from Saturday in downtown Point Reyes. A close call indeed.

Lots of wind and rain today, sounds like power is out in parts of Stinson. Upload any other storm related reports in the comments...

Via Karen Hickey, "Hi neighbors! Around 6:30 this evening we saw a mountain lion lingering off our back deck in first valley Inverness. Please bring your pets inside for safety. — in Inverness, California."

@MarinSheriff - "7200 Block of Panoramic Hwy, Stinson Beach temporary closed both directions due to fallen tree in roadway. Stinson Beach Fire on-scene."

Truck just rolled over on Lucas Valley Road. Hopefully everyone ok. Plan accordingly. Second rollover this week. Please drive slow and safe, the roads are slick. (Thx AN)

Massive waves at the beach today. Be careful if you head out there. "A large long period swell will produce hazardous conditions along the coast. Westerly swell of 20 feet is forecast. These large waves will produce exceptionally large surf and a heightened risk of sneaker wave activity along with strong currents. When visiting the beach on Monday please allow extra distance between yourself and the water. Never turn your back to the ocean when visiting the beach.

This is not good: "The Marshall Store was burglarized for the second time this year on Sunday night, marking the third burglary of its kind in the area since May. Three or four thieves apparently pried open the oyster bar’s front door and took the safe, which was bolted to the ground, and the cash in the register, said owner Shannon Gregory. “We have some surveillance footage, but everyone [was] wearing hoodies and masks,” he said."
FULL STORY: http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

TRAFFIC ALERT: Lucas Valley Road is closed right now due to a vehicle rollover. I will update this post as more info comes in. (thx BE)

Photo Quiz: What is this giant lump spotted on Drakes Beach today? Hint: First one of the season to show up here.

Apparently it's rainbow season. Where's the pot of gold?

For real rain! Drive safe out there. (Thx AN)

Shannon Gregory spotted this epic sunrise double rainbow this morning over Tomales Bay. What a start to the morning...

Shining on 145 years later, the Point Reyes Lighthouse has its birthday today. (Amazing photo shot by Ranger Anela last night)

https://www.instagram.com/p/-w

TWMF went back to Pierce Point at sunset and it was incredible. There were whale spouts everywhere, elk wandering around, Northern Harriers hunting and a gorgeous sunset. We are thankful to be able to live in this beautiful place.

@KWMRradio: Emergency units are responding to a report of an overturned vehicle on Shoreline Highway in the vicinity of Tomales Bay Oyster Company

Lots and lots of whale spouts up and down the Great Beach in Point Reyes today. A surfer reported seeing a Great White Shark at North Beach yesterday afternoon. The ocean is alive!

King tides swept through Tomales Bay this morning. Lots of debris in the water, very little beach. Also a full moon tonight, the 'flower moon'.

Thank you to the West Marin Fund for their very generous support of so many great local organizations.
http://westmarinfund.org/autum

Missed Love Connection in Point Reyes: "On a Saturday October afternoon, I was riding up to Bovine Bakery in Pt. Reyes on my bike. Well-meaning coupled friends always tell their single friends. . . "when you least expect it." I had stopped believing that. You proved me wrong. With a glance you have transformed a hope-LESS romantic into a hope-filled one. Thank you for being at the right place at the right time. The odds of ever meeting you again are slim. That being said, although memories fade, I would recognize you instantly. And I would not look away." READ THE FULL POST HERE: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nb

"MCSO and CHP units responding to a to a vehicle roll over in the SB lane of Shoreline north of Nick's cove. Described as a feed truck at the location of the earlier milk truck off the road, SB lane blocked"
https://twitter.com/KWMRradio

We found this boat gone adrift by Kilkenny Beach on Tomales Bay. Looks like the mooring got loose.

"The three young drifters accused in the killings of a hiker in Marin County and a backpacker in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery charges Thursday in Marin County Superior Court. “We are in the early stages of this tragic case,” said Brown, Lampley’s attorney. “No evidence has been presented. Our young client, Morrison Lampley, is presumed innocent. We ask that everyone withhold judgment until the court process is complete."
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/ar

An unfortunate incident this weekend: "A Mill Valley man driving a black Tesla was arrested Saturday on charges of striking and injuring a cyclist on Shoreline Highway near Panoramic Highway before leaving the scene in what authorities called a road-rage incident."
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/n

The beach season is officially over when Roberto pulls in the rafts from Shell Beach. Noooooooo. (thx JWS)

Apparently the hospital ship USNS Mercy was anchored in Drakes Bay this weekend to ride out the storm. Did anyone get a picture of it? Here is a photo from San Diego.

Sounds like a whole bunch of kayakers had to be rescued today in Tomales Bay.

Another incredible rescue by our local emergency units in Stinson Beach last night. "Rescue crews extricated two people from a car that had plunged off a cliff into the ocean Friday night on Shoreline Highway south of Stinson Beach, the CHP said. While battling the rising tide and waves crashing against the rocks and the vehicle, crews were able to extricate the male driver and female passenger, both of Stinson Beach, and prepare them for transport." Click link for more info.

http://www.marinij.com/general

Heavy traffic on Bear Valley Road today due to construction. Plan accordingly. (thx MM)