One of Craig Tooley's Pic O Joy photos is this Mylitta Crescent Butterfly, Phyciodes mylitta.
This butterfly breeds on thistles, and both males and females visit many different types of flowers.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com
It's downright hot at our place in Anchor Bay today! We need our natural air conditioning to kick in - where is that summer fog?
Michael Reinhart found a Common Raven eyeing twp Pelagic Cormorant nests with chicks inside.
The Raven swooped down and the cormorants "yelled" at the bird.
The raven had its eye on a nest with a single chick. Look how the mama bird protects her offspring, with her wing spread.
The Raven was unsuccessful on this day, but we know ravens steal a great many cormorant eggs and chicks. It's one of the many reasons we humans shouldn't feed ravens, especially close to the bluff edge. The cormorants are much shyer birds so you don't want to attract ravens to their traditional nesting area.
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his dramatic photos.
Another sunny, warm day on the Mendonoma Coast!
It's a lovely plant with a pretty tough common name, Swamp Harebell. It's quite rare, growing in wetlands. Margaret Lindgren found a nice patch of them at her home in the Redwoods at The Sea Ranch.
I'm told the flowers are quite small - I have never seen one...yet! A summer bloomer, as you can see, though it can also bloom in early autumn. Its scientific name is Campanula californica. This native wildflower is endemic to the Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin coasts.
Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Sunny and hot today away from the ocean. Looks like it's foggy to our north at the ocean's edge. Microclimates - the Mendonoma coast specializes in them!
Craig Tooley sent in a Pic O Joy, this Gray Fox taking a nice nap. Who knew a redwood stump would make a comfy bed?
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, and to see his daily Pics O Joy, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com
Another sunny, windy day. Warm weather begins to move in tomorrow.
Michael Reinhart recently photographed a male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage.
These birds love thistle seeds. They seem to like each other's company, as they travel together in large flocks.
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
ooo, it's so windy today! It's sunny and mild, but the wind is brutal. My non-native lilies are having their blossoms ripped off today. Life on the Mendonoma Coast!