Eddie Mikus recently spotted a beautiful Bobcat strolling through a meadow.
I've learned the each bobcat has unique markings on its coat, just like our fingerprints are unique to each of us.
Bocats are also good climbers. For evidence, I submit Judy Mello's photo of a bobcat climbing a very tall fence at the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena.
Bobcats are often seen in the daylight here on the Mendonoma coast.
Thanks to Eddie and Judy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
There is a creek that can be found about a 1/4 or so of the way in from Lighthouse Road. Some years it cascades over the bluff edge creating a beautiful waterfall. Right now it is flowing into a crack in the bluff. The edge creates a nice little pond for Western gulls to take a bath.
Here is a short clip of the wave action.
Rocks and waves off the Lands by Jeanne Jackson
A strange-looking twisty flower caught my eye. It's not the best photo, but it is Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, one of our native orchids. There are several others coming up to join this bluff orchid.
And a view of some of the dramatic rocks and bluffs at the Lands, with the Point Arena Lighthouse in the background.
The Point Arena-Stornetta Lands are a Mendonoma Coast treasure!
Rozann Grunig photographed this Great Blue Heron soaring over rocks at The Sea Ranch.
You can see this big bird's reflection on the rocks below. Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma coast.
Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see more of Rozann's nature photography, here is her website: http://highway1designs.com/
Acmon Blue butterflies, Plebejus acmon, have a delicate beauty. They are quite tiny, just .8 to 1 inch wingspan. Perhaps many of us pass by without noticing them, but not Mark Ricci.
This butterfly is found mostly in California, but can be seen north to Oregon and south to Baja.
Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Hal Fogel had this big Buck visit his property recently. What a healthy-looking Buck!
Jim O'Brien was also visited by one. This one's rack appears to still be in velvet, the membrane that nourished the bone underneath.
And, finally, Paul Batchelder watched this Buck use his antlers to pull away the fencing designed to keep him out!
Males moving into our area means the rut, the mating of the Black-tailed Deer, will begin soon. It usually occurs in October, so we'll be watching to see if the rut is early this year. There are signs we could have an early winter, such as acorns already on the ground. To be determined!
Thanks to Hal, Jim, and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here.