The answer is, of course, with a drone. Mike Nelson got these fascinating photo of a recent sunset above the thick fog layer. We underneath the fog did not get to see this beautiful sunset...until Mike's photos, that is!
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his beautiful photos with you here.
The calls and emails started coming in early this morning. Some people wondered if they were seeing Orcas but it was a pod of Risso's Dolphins. Craig Tooley was out and got this photo.
Craig also took this video:
You can read more about this sighting in this week's Independent Coast Observer which will be out on Thursday. Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo and video with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com
The fog lifted this morning, allowing for great sightings today!
I think Gray Fox kits are some of the cutest youngsters on the Mendonoma Coast. Sara Bogard recently photographed these two kits piled on top of each other.
I love Gray Fox kits so much that I chose one for the cover of my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. It was taken by Craig Tooley, the excellent photographer who's work is featured in this book.
Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Same forecast as yesterday, fog on the immediate coast, sunny a little ways away. Just lovely weather!
Monday evening Mike Petrich saw a blow, the exhalation of a whale, out on the Pacific Ocean. He had his camera and captured this series of a Humpback Whale breaching, just magnificent!
Scott Mercer was told by a fisherman that anchovies are off the Mendonoma Coast in vast numbers. That fact is going to bring more whales and other marine mammals to our area. Get your binoculars out!
Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his series of photos with you here.
Fog on the immediate coast, sunny away from the coast - hey, it must be summer!
There is a nest of Purple Martin chicks near the Gualala River. Craig Tooley watched as one of the parents caught an insect to bring to the hungry chicks. I just took a closer look at Craig's photo, and I believe the Purple Martin has a dragonfly in its beak!
Late in June Mike Petrich photographed a fledgling Purple Martin being fed.
Purple Martins here on the West Coast usually nest in woodpecker holes. They are the largest swallows. You can hear their chirpy calls at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Martin/sounds I read there that the male sings his loudest song at dawn.
Thanks to Craig and Mike for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com
Lots of cool, moist fog for our Sunday morning, though it is pulling back this afternoon, with wind-free sunshine.