Monthly Archives: February 2016

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Marilyn Green came across this on a local beach a few weeks ago.

Abalone shells wash up on beaches and are fun to find. Someone did a little collecting and left them for others to take. It's the interior of the abalone shell that has iridescence.

A rare chance to use an 11 inch abalone gauge by Jack Likins (Medium)

This photo was taken by Jack Likins of a eleven inch abalone he dove for a few years ago. To get a ten inch ab is a dream of many divers. Jack's accomplishment of an eleven incher is amazing.

Thanks to Marilyn and Jack for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Beth Kattleman was in the right place at the right time to get this photo of two Does on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Two Deer on the bluff by Beth Kattleman

That was a nice sunny day, which is how most of February has been here. But this afternoon it has begun raining - nice, big drops!

Thanks to Beth for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Paul Kozal was out recently photographing the waves at Walk On Beach, one of the public access trails on The Sea Ranch. Here is what he captured:

Walk on Beach waves by Paul Kozal

So very lovely.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website:  www.paulkozal.com

 

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Many of our native wildflowers are quite small so you need to pay close attention when hiking in forests or on bluffs. Here are a few that are currently blooming.

Milkmaids, Cardamine californica, a member of the mustard family.

Milkmaids by Amy Ruegg

And Hooker's Fairybells, Disporum hookeri, a member of the lily family. The flowers shyly hid underneath this plant's leaves.

Fairy Bells by Amy Ruegg

Slink Pod, aka Fetid Adder's Tongue, Scoliopus bigelovii, also a member of the lily family.

Fetid Adder's Tongue, the first wildflower of the year, by Craig Tooley

All of these and more are blooming now, though the Slink Pod bloom may be over. I will share more of our coastal wildflowers soon.

The first two photos were taken by Amy Ruegg and the last was taken by Craig Tooley. I thank them for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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When big swells  hit the Mendonoma several weeks ago sea foam was seen in abundance, coating rocks and beaches with the white fluffy substance. Dede Plaisted was at a local beach and this is what she saw.

Foam covers the beach by Dede PlaistedDede wondered what it would be like to wade in it at low tide.

Dede Plaisted wading in sea foam, courtesy of Dede Plaisted

Here's what she said,

“I’ve never stood in foam before. I loved it. I haven’t seen this much foam in a long time. Now all our rocks have been uncovered. They’re like old friends.”

Sea foam is formed when dissolved organic matter, including sea life and deal algae, is churned up by the wave action.

After two storms late in the week, today is sunny and cool. Perfect weather for exploring on the coast!

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