Big waves begin early

Waves at Virgin Creek Beach, Sept. 24. ©Teresa Shumaker. 

The big waves that are normally seen here on the Mendocino Coast during the winter started their spectacular show last Tuesday. Surf reports were reading forecasting 16- to 18-foot waves. As the tide came in, we had to take extra caution to never take our eyes off the ocean — which is hard to do while conducting a bird survey. Essentially, you keep one eye on the ocean and the other on the birds.

Hopefully, these big waves are a good omen for some exciting winter weather later this year.