Laura Baker noticed this colorful caterpillar, which she knew was an Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar. It was feeding on Coast Angelica, a native wildflower.
Here is the beautiful butterfly it will become. Drew Fagan took this photo of the Anise Swallowtail Butterfly feeding on lavender.
Seeing a butterfly makes me happy. How about you?
Thanks to Laura and Drew for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
John Costa photographed this Alligator Lizard who we think is pregnant.
It does seem like she is telling John to back-off, because I don't think that is a smile! Alligator Lizard young are born between June and September.
Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Sea Stars, also known as Starfish, are being seen in tide pools off the Mendonoma coast. That's good news, because we were losing them to a wasting disease. Patricia Maxwell went to Anchor Bay Beach with her daughter and a friend during a recent low tide. Her daughter, Lauren Hall, took these two photos, which show Ochre Stars, one purple and one orange.
These were two BIG Sea Stars, according to Pat.
Thanks to Lauren for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
I've been working on an article about dragonflies and I've learned so many interesting facts about them. They evolved over 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs. Craig Tooley sent along several photos that he has taken over the years. One of them was this beauty, which Kathy Biggs identified as a Variegated Meadowhawk.
My, what purple eyes you have, Variegated Meadowhawk Dragonfly!
Here's a photo I took of a Flame Skimmer, which landed on top of a sprinkler head in my garden, and posed long enough for me to get a photo.
Then the dragonfly, moved, turned around, and let me get a photo of the back.
I love these creatures! Kathy Biggs has a great booklet out entitled "Common Dragonflies of California, a Beginner's Pocket Guide." I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. You can see much more of Craig's nature photography at www.ruffimage.com
This cute, little yellow and black caterpillar can be seen wandering across paths this time of year. Steve East photographed this Yellow Bear Caterpillar.
These caterpillars become Virginia Tiger Moths. a white moth with a few black dots.
Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
The fog has pulled back and we are having a lovely day on the Mendonoma coast!