Catherine Miller found these lovely native wildflowers growing on the bluffs in southern Mendocino county - Mission Bells. They are also called Checker Lily.
These flowers are members of the Lily family and their scientific name is Fritillaria affinis. Promise you will never dig up one in the wild.
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
We have a big, juicy storm headed our way. Batten down the hatches!
Paul Brewer has a front row seat to watch for marine life from his home in Gualala. He recently saw a lone Gray Whale and got this photo.
It looks like Paul has photographed a juvenile Gray Whale. It doesn't seem to have many barnacles and its head is rather stubby. We have a small group of juveniles staying along the coast of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
Another time Paul capture these two tails of Gray Whales.
This photo makes us wonder if Paul photographed one of the first mother/calf pairs, but we don't know for sure. It's always exciting to see the mother/calf pairs arrive up here. And we should see the first ones pretty soon!
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. Another photo of the first Gray Whale will appear in this week's Independent Coast Observer. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
Beth wrote, “I saw this enormous face in the cliff while walking the bluff trail from Stump Beach up to Fisk Mill Cove in Salt Point State Park. It almost looks sculpted by human hands, but we know what a fine artist Mother Nature is!”
What a fun sighting! Thanks to Beth for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Doug Forsell found this big fish on Manchester Beach. It was identified as a Long-nosed Lancetfish.
These fish are normally found in deep water, so what it was doing on the beach is a mystery.
A strange and unique sighting for you today. Thanks to Doug for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Chris Beach photographed the action at the mouth of the Gualala River recently. A small group of Harbor Seals had a big Steelhead. One of the two mated Bald Eagles seen at the river tried to steal it away.
The Bald Eagle was not successful...this time!
Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photo with you here.