The big Harvest Moon was fun to see. Paul Brewer went out early in the morning to try to get a photo of it setting into the ocean. There was only one problem - a big fog bank. So Paul photographed the moon just before it disappeared into the fog. I love how the moonlight is shining on the ocean.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his beautiful photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
I'll let Craig Tooley tell the story:
Craig wrote, “I was out peeking into our local tide pools and thought you might enjoy some of my sightings. The Red Sea urchin is much less common in our area, and I felt honored to have found one.”
Bob Van Syoc took a look at Craig’s photo and wrote, “The things that look like tentacles are tube feet. Urchins use them to move around and also to grab drift kelp to eat. They work like tiny hydraulic suction cups!”
Craig also found an Ochre Sea Star, a beautiful sight to behold!
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com
Tripod lost one of his back hoofs several years ago. We don't know how he lost it, but we were concerned, because it's a disability for an animal when it can't run from danger at full speed. So far, Tripod has thrived by living lightly on the land at The Sea Ranch. Here's a recent photo of him, taken by Rick Hansen. The second photo, taken by Sandy Hughes last year, shows the missing hoof a little better.
You can also see Tripod's rack is bigger in Rick's recent photo, so he is healthy!
Thanks to Rick and Sandy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
This is the time of year we see Monarch Butterflies in greater numbers. Richard Oba photographed one nectaring on Pacific Madrone.
The butterflies we are seeing now are the long-lived Methuselah generation. They live about seven months, and they are the ones who migrate south.
Once the winds die down - yes, it's been very windy on the coast - we should be seeing many of these magnificent butterflies in our gardens.
Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To report Monarch sightings, and participate in citizen science, go to https://www.learner.org/jnorth/
Marlana Woods was in her Pacific Woods Glass office by the Ocean Ridge Airport in Gualala when this Bobcat wandered in and took a look around.
In the second photo, the Bobcat looks to be a little concerned with Marlana and her camera! This is pretty unusual behavior by this Bobcat. Fortunately it soon left, but Marlana was left with a very nice sighting.
Thanks to Marlana for allowing me to share her photos with you here.