Tag Archives: Amy Ruegg

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A few years ago, Chris Pechal and I found a rare white Calypso Orchid  alongside one of the public access trails on The Sea Ranch. She recently spotted it and got this great photo.

For comparison, here are normal-colored Calypso Orchids as photographed by Amy Ruegg. Amy's dog Sydney is photo-bombing the photo!

Thanks to Chris and Amy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The day started out sunny but this afternoon some clouds have moved in. It's in the mid-sixties and just a gentle breeze.

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Amy Ruegg calls them her little friends and she goes to visit with them during low tide events. Along with those I shared yesterday, she found these beauties. First, here's a Six-rayed Star.

Next is the magnificent Giant Green Anemone.

And the less common beautiful Sunburst Anemone.

I've got several more to share, on another day! Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

There are still many power outages here on the coast, including Rick's and my place. Today was sunny and chilly. This afternoon dark clouds arrived, spilling a few sprinkles on me as I took an afternoon walk.

 

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I love Stars but I think Bat Stars might be my favorite. Of course I'm hearing a particular song in my head right now - Batman is featured!

And here Amy photographed an Ochre Star. Heck, I love them too! They come in various colors and look like they are bedecked in jewels.

One more find for today, a Pacific Stubby Rose Anemone - isn't it beautiful?

I'll be sharing a few more of Amy's finds tomorrow.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We made it through the big storm on Sunday but there are many power outages because of falling trees. The wind was particularly fierce. We didn't get nearly as much rain as those to our south. From the storm we received 2.17 inches at Rick's and my place (those up on the ridge got quite a bit more rain), season to date is 36.84. I consider 50 inches to be a "normal" wet year. We're getting there.

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We've been seeing lots of evidence of a Black Bear, especially at The Sea Ranch. Joe Dobrenski's camera caught the big bear. Here are two stills from the video that Joe's son provided.

And here is one of the videos.

 

Amy Ruegg came across Black Bear scat the same week of Joe's sighting. It's studded with huckleberries.

And several weeks ago Amy came across this snag where a Black Bear was digging for insects, possibly termites.

Yep, Black Bears are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast! Thanks to Joe and Amy for allowing me to share their photos and the video here with you.

It's a magnificent day here today - sunny, warm with little or no breeze.

 

 

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Another unusual plant appeared recently, one I have never seen before. It's Pyrola aphylla and has a rather silly common name of Leafless Wintergreen. It's blooming on the forest floor now. Craig Tooley came by several weeks ago and photographed the plants, which were just barely beginning to bloom. Craig's close-up of the bottom of the cluster shows several new shoots coming up and extremely small leaves.

More recently Mary Sue Ittner and Amy Ruegg, along with others, came over to see them too. You can see by Mary Sue's photo that most of the blossoms have opened  up.

And here's Amy's closeup of the beautiful flowers. Pyrola aphylla are perennial herbs and native to California.

For me, the amazing thing is, I've never seen them on Rick's and my land before, and we've been here over 27 years. What a welcome surprise!

Thanks to Craig, Mary Sue, and Amy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another foggy, cool day near the coast!