Big Bucks are still being seen as the rut is winding down. The big boys move onto the coast in October looking for the most comely Doe. Drew Fagan recently photographed this five-point Black-tailed Deer. Isn't he magnificent?!
To see a picture of Does and Fawns, click on this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/04/23/the-first-fawns-have-made-an-appearance-on-the-mendonoma-coast/ And to see Drew's artwork, here is his web site: http://www.drewfagan.com/
Over the past several days the Coccora eggs have blossomed into one of the most beautiful mushrooms on the coast. A dozen or so dot the forest at Rick's and my Anchor Bay home and many more are to come. Coccora, or Amanita calyptroderma, is an edible but only for the most experienced foragers. But you don't have to be experienced to enjoy its beauty.
Coccoras are found near red-barked Madrone, with which they have a mycorrihizal relationship - a relationship made in fungi heaven! To see the Coccora eggs, click on this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/26/coccora-mushrooms-just-peeking-up-through-the-duff-on-the-forest-floor-in-anchor-bay/
A week ago I took these two photos of the sunset from Rick's and my Anchor Bay home. I thought the streaks in the sky were particularly interesting, especially in the second photo.
To see several other recent sunsets, here are the links: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/28/two-photos-of-sundays-magnificent-sunset-by-gary-klein/ and http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/24/a-spectacular-sunset-photo-by-coastal-photographer-ron-levalley/
Our lovely, warm autumn weather is about to end with a coldfront due to arrive tomorrow. The good news is the rain will certainly re-start the mushroom season. There is always a silver lining!
Matsutakes, Tricholoma magnivelare, are just beginning to appear. They come up in the same place, year after year, near our property in Anchor Bay. The first three made an appearance a few days ago. They are growing in sandy soil underneath a mixed conifer forest with manzanita and huckleberry bushes nearby.
The Matsutakes found in our area, the Pacific Northwest, are also called White Matsutakes. They have a wonderful aroma...like cinnamon. There is no other mushroom like it. Yes, another wonderful gift in the forest from Mother Nature.
A California Sister Butterfly, Adelpha californica, was photographed recently by Robert Scarola. It is seen around Oak trees, which is where they lay their eggs. It gets its name from the supposed resemblance to the black and white of a Nun's habit. It is only found in California and occasionally in Oregon and Washington. Many thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo here.
