Bob Rutemoeller wrote, “I first thought this might be a Whimbrel but after looking up info online, I think it is a Long-billed Curlew. We had walked from Kinney Road along the beach to the Garcia River. There are lots of Kelp piles on the beach, and also lots of Jellyfish.”
Diane Hichwa confirmed the ID of this big shorebird. Just look at that long thin beak!
Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
oh my, it's terribly windy here today, Monday. I hope it calms down soon.
We've had several small storms that brought enough moisture for the first King Boletes to appear. Amy Ruegg found what might have been the very first one.
Several others have found porcini too. And CeCe Case found a Chanterelle. They are being found in moist areas. The spots I find them have not seen any appear...yet!
Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photo with you here. It's always a good time of year when the first edible mushrooms appear.
A smattering of rain was heard last night while I, and others, celebrated the SF Giants baseball win. Today is beautiful, sunny and breezy. The horizon is clear so if you are on the coast, look for a possible green flash at sunset. Below is a photo taken by Peter Cracknell of a green flash. It only lasts for a second, so don't blink!
A faint outline of a Sun Pillar appeared just before the sun set yesterday, Saturday. But after the sun disappeared, a beautiful, vibrant Sun Pillar was evident in the night sky.
We don't see this very often, so it was special to witness it. And I'm happy I have a photo of mine to show you today. Here's some info on Sun Pillars from Wikipedia:
"A light pillar is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which a vertical beam of light appears to extend above and/or below a light source. The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that comprise high-altitude clouds."
Another spectacular, warm Autumn day on the Mendonoma Coast.
Sunsets are beautiful this time of year. But after an early-in-the-year rainstorm, we have clouds to give us more drama. Gloria Wood photographed this beautiful sight. Kind of looks like a painting, don't you think?
Several weeks earlier Adrian Adams photographed these "cotton candy" clouds.
Cloud and sunset watching are a Mendonoma Coast tradition!
Thanks to Gloria and Adrian for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Another spectacular Autumn day here.
Ruth Downes noticed a Chestnut-backed Chickadee on her hummingbird feeder, drinking sugar water.
And Adrian Bennett found a tiny Sierran Treefrog sitting on her nectar feeder. We think the frog may have been attracted to the moisture or perhaps small insects caught in the sugar water on the lid.
Then Thane Frivold's dog, Moon, alerted him to a masked bandit at his feeder one night. Here is the video of the Raccoon obviously relished the sweet treat.
Raccoon raiding a hummingbird feeder by Thane Frivold
Who knew hummingbird feeders were popular with such diverse animals! Thanks to Ruth and Adrian for allowing me to share their photos, and to Thane for allowing me to share his video, with you here.
Today, Wednesday, is one of the most beautiful days of the year. It really feels like Autumn today, with gentle breezes, blue skies and mild temps.