Sightings

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Brenna Dix had a great sighting on a recent weekend. She wrote, “I was sitting on the beach at the Point Arena Pier. Suddenly this River Otter swam up to the beach and  ran up the shore.

The otter looked at the people walking on the sidewalk,

and immediately ran back into the water. No one else seemed to notice. He was only in sight for a matter seconds. I have never been more happy to have my camera with me. Right place, right time!”

It's almost like the River Otter thought "YIKES! Giants!" and headed back to the ocean. It's amazing to me how close the otter got to the people, and that they didn't notice.

Thanks to Brenna for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

After Saturday night's rainstorm, and Sunday morning's showers, we are having a beautiful sunny day today. Warm weather moving in for the next couple of days.

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Allen Vinson noticed this Common Raven with something in its beak. It turned out to be a bright, red apple. I wonder where this Raven found this apple, which looks to be in perfect condition.

The Raven took the apple to a nearby bluff where he/she ate some of the fruit. Then the bird flew to where its fledgling waited, and proceeded to feed the chick some of the apple.

It's always good to eat fruit and veggies! Allen also took this photo of the beautiful bird in flight.

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

Clouds are pouring in, and the first rain showers have arrived on the Mendonoma Coast around 3:30 this afternoon. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the blessed rain!

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I've never found this native wildflower. Peter Baye photographed Tincture Plant, Collinsia tinctoria.

And here's a bonus wildflower sighting, a Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austiniae  photographed by Peter. The native orchid is also called a Snow Orchid - a real treat to see.

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

It's foggy today, with rain forecast for tomorrow!

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Pacific Rhododendrons, also called California Rhododendrons, Rhododendron macrophyllum, often begin blooming in May. Their delicate blooms extend into the first part of June, and you can see them now, along with the native Azaleas. Laura Baker was at Mill Bend overlooking the Gualala River when she spotted this beautiful sight.

Mill Bend is the latest acquisition by our fabulous land conservancy, the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. You can read more about Mill Bend and RCLC's other public access spots at this link: https://www.rclc.org/

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

It's warm here today with very little wind. Clouds are beginning to appear as changes seem to be afoot in the weather department. Rain is predicted for the weekend, and wouldn't that be a blessing!

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Dash gets around and he loves noticing Nature. At the recent minus tides, Dash pointed out this Abalone which had been left high and kind-of-dry during the low tide event.

The Abalone looked healthy. It was waiting for the tide to return and perhaps bring some kelp for it to eat. I see another Abalone in this photo, under the reddish kelp in the upper right corner.

In the next photo, there is a lot going on! Chris photographed an Abalone with a Crab possibly trying to attack it. A big Ocher Star, Mussels, Purple Urchins, Turban Snails, and a Sea Anemone. Looks like a party, an intertidal party!

And here's a bonus photo of Dash, enjoying the Douglas Iris blooming at Gualala Point Regional Park. This time he was with his dad, John Wall.

Thanks to Chris and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We had rain yesterday late afternoon. 0.15 inches in our rain gauge, 49.70 inches season to date. 50 inches is our average so this is good news for those of us on wells.  Today is sunny but there is a very strong breeze. There is no reason to brush your hair if you are outside today on the windy Mendonoma Coast!