Robert Goldberg photographed this Buck with a nice big rack recently. The Buck was looking at Robert through the window of his Sea Ranch home.
You will see the Buck's antlers are in velvet. Velvet is the soft membrane that nourishes the growing bones underneath. If you could touch it, you'd find it is hot!
Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
It's cooler today - temps in the 70's at Rick's and my place, and no wind. Very lovely.
Janet Flink wrote, "I have participated with Bonney Ely for the last three years in Snapshot Cal Coast, which is an annual project through the California Academy of Sciences. Here is a link to their explanation of this event. https://www.calacademy.org/calcoast
"This year we went to four local beaches during the lowest tides of the year to gather data and take photos of their “most wanted species” and any other species we found interesting or rare. I focus on invertebrates and algae. I post the photos and data to iNaturalist for verification by other experts. These “BioBlitzes” help contribute to the knowledge of ranges of different species and especially any non-native or invasive species."
"The first is Hermissenda crassicornis, a gorgeous Nudibranch, about two inches long and found in a tide pool at Shell Beach. This “sea slug” breathes through the feathery gills on its back, and has a very soft body. It’s not common on our rocky shores, due to the heavy wave action."
This nudibranch's common name is Thick-horned Nudibranch. fyi, nudibranch is pronounced "nudibrank," Why? I dunno. Back to Janet's great sightings.
She wrote, "The second is our locally common sea star, Pisaser ochraceus, from Black Point Beach. I just found the voluptuous pose of this one to be comical!"
These Stars, which come in various colors, are called Ochre Sea Stars. They used to be called Starfish, but they aren't fish!
Janet continues, "The third photo, taken last year at Shell beach depicts two stunningly beautiful pastel-colored Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) from different colonies fighting for territory underwater."
"They do this with special club-like white tipped tentacles that shoot barbs at the enemy. You can see the white clubs of the individual on the left, which has turned itself sideways, attacking the one on the right, which looks as if it is cowering and pulling away even as it’s beginning to brandish it’s own clubs. Toward the bottom of the sideways one, you can see a club from the one on the right“landing a punch”!"
How amazing to see and learn more about these fascinating inhabitants of the intertidal zone. Thanks to Janet for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Another toasty warm day, with high clouds streaming in. In Point Arena yesterday, those closer to the ocean never saw the sun, but today the sun broke through the fog mid-morning.
Western Gulls are the only gulls that nest on the Mendonoma coast. Jon Shiu recently photographed three chicks, looking like little rocks with legs! Is the one on the right singing? Most likely he/she is hoping to get fed.
Here's a look at three adult Western Gulls with the chicks behind them.
Thanks to Jon for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
There's a fog bank over the ocean, keeping temps very nice and not too toasty. It's very hot inland and it was hot away from the ocean yesterday. It hit 88 degrees at my place in Anchor Bay yesterday, and today it's 78 degrees. No wind to speak of and lots of visitors are here escaping the inland heat, just as Rick and I used to do when we lived in Walnut Creek!
Mike Petrich wrote, “Here are a few new pics of the piebald deer (and twin and parent). This morning I found them on the trail (they blocked our path) and I had the camera so I crouched down and snapped a few pics."
"The good news is that they seem to be healthy and active in the area. They are very comfortable around me and my camera, which worries me a little, but so many deer in these parts are less skittish than other parts of the coast.”
This white fawn is considered a tow-head and will continue to color up. Live and prosper, white fawn...and your sibling!
It's warm away from the ocean, but very breezy.
Last Saturday Point Arena held their fireworks show and the weather couldn't have been better. The fog was AWOL and there was the slightest of breezes. Paul Kozal set up on the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands to get these great photos.
I do think it's time - past time, actually - to replace fireworks with laser light show or a drone show. But I can't deny the beauty of the fireworks last weekend at Point Arena.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here is a link to his website: https://www.paulkozal.com/ And you can visit his gallery in Gualala, Studio 391, at the Cypress Center.
It's sunny and breezy again today. Warmer weather is predicted beginning Tuesday. Beach weather, anyone?