Richard Hansen noticed these Turkey Vultures with their wings outstretched. They do this to dry off, warm up on cold days, and also to let the sun burn off any microbes from their job of eating carrion.
Here's a rare photo of a Turkey Vulture chick perched above his/her next in a snag taken a few years ago. Terry Bold was the lucky person who spotted this while hiking with her dogs in dense woods.
Thanks to Richard and Terry for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
When the ocean calms down and does its best imitation of a placid lake, some take to the water to experience ocean kayaking. Catherine Miller and Hal Ferguson did just that recently. Fishing was also involved!
These photos were taken off of Arena Cove. Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share them with you here.
Roberta Chan spotted this CA Red-legged frog while closing the gates at Gualala Point Regional Park recently.
This frog is listed as threatened and is federally protected by the Endangered Species Act. That they live next to the Gualala River, in its floodplain, is wonderful. I would suggest that any Gualala River floodplain logging plans should be rejected, for many reasons, including the existence of this threatened frog.
Thanks to Roberta for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Bettye Winters photographed the iconic Point Arena Lighthouse last Saturday during a beautiful sunset. There was a green flash that night, which Bettye admits she missed. (Full disclosure, I missed photographing it too!) But Bettye said, "At least I caught the light of the Lighthouse!"
I love this photo and I thank Bettye for allowing me to share it with you here.
Tomorrow, Thursday, many of us celebrate Thanksgiving. If you do, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Marilyn Green noticed Jellyfish washed up on the beach on Saturday. She wrote, “There were at least 50 on Pebble Beach on The Sea Ranch. Some were in the water and looked healthy to me!” I sent Marilyn’s photo to Robert Van Syoc and he identified it as a Moon Jelly, Aurelia aurita. Marilyn’s photo shows the four pink reproductive glands.
These Jellyfish are capable of very little motion and are dependent on where the tides take them. For the 50 or so on the beach, the tides took them the wrong way.
This third photo shows a Moon Jellyfish safe in the water.
Thanks to Marilyn for allowing me to share her photos with you here.