Sightings

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Roxanne Holmes photographed twin Fawns last week. She said they were dancing and playing as if it were the first day of the lives, and it may have been. It was raining that day and they were dancing in the rain.

Many more fawns to be born in the days ahead. If you have a Doe cross the road in front of you, wait several moments to see if one, or two, or even three Fawns might be following her.

Thanks to Roxanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

It's a sunny, breezy day here on the Mendonoma Coast. Harbor Seals are also being born, and Gray Whale mothers and calves are passing by, heading north. It's a special time of year. Also special for me was my time at Point Arena High School today, talking with two groups of seniors. What great people!

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Jon Shiu photographed a Chestnut-backed Chickadee singing, very possibly for a mate. Male birds also sing to establish their territories. But this is Spring so I'm going with singing for a mate.

You can here this bird's call at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee/sounds

Thanks to Jon for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Boy, oh, boy, is it ever windy here today. Sunny with gusts of wind!

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Ron Bolander photographed this Canada Goose family last week. There is just one gosling but he/she is cute and photogenic.

The Mendonoma Coast isn't normally where Canada Geese breed, but occasionally we see them nest here. They have to contend with Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and River Otters, to name a few predators. Tim Bray told me the adult geese are ferocious defenders of their chicks. The remaining chick, with his/her head tilted, seems to be looking at Ron, wondering just what the heck it was seeing!

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It's sunny and breezy today, with some high clouds drifting by. It's quite lovely.

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Shari Goforth-Eby recently photographed two Gray Whales swimming very close together. She thought she might have a mother/calf pair.

Scott Mercer took a look at Shari's photo and determined these are two adults swimming unusually close together. Here is what a mother/calf pair looks like. The calf, with its stubby head, is partially breaching next to its mother. This photo was taken by Paul Brewer a few years ago.

Scott and Tree Mercer have seen four mother/calf pairs so far this past week. More are headed our way. This weekend could be the perfect time to see if you can spot a pair. A sighting of a mother and her calf is sure to warm your heart - guaranteed!

Thanks to Shari and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's sunny, calm and beautiful on the Mendonoma Coast today!

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Peter Baye found this beauty, which is endemic to the Mendocino Coast, Mendocino Coast Paintbrush, Castilleja mendocinensis. It grows in coastal sage scrub habitat.

This native wildflower is considered rare, and it's a treat to see it.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We've had a pretty darn big rainstorm. Our rain gauge had 1.80 inches when it was all said and done. Total season to date is 48.40 inches, and 50 inches is a "normal" year here. Today the Pacific Ocean is riled up, with big breakers crashing into bluffs and on sandy beaches. It's LOUD! Skies are blue, as the storm clouds have left. It should be a lovely weekend here on the Mendonoma Coast!