Sightings

Several weeks ago Ron Bolander was out photographing birds, fortunately for us! He spotted this Bald Eagle soaring, a lovely photo of the majestic bird.

Ron also spotted a Long-billed Dowitcher.

And then this pair.

These shorebirds nest far to our north, in the Arctic.

Finally, Ron photographed Red-necked Phalaropes, this one in breeding plumage.

Nice day for great bird sightings for Ron! Thanks to him for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

We did have rain overnight and it was so wonderful. Over 1/3rd of an inch at our place in Anchor Bay. This morning it was quite humid and warm. There are lots of visitors here this weekend, enjoying the beauty that surrounds us on the Mendonoma Coast.

I always look forward to this beautiful native wildflower, which blooms in late spring and sometimes into early summer. It's the Coast Lily, Lilium maritimum. Mary Sue Ittner found it blooming recently.

This wildflower is endemic to the coast and is found near water. You should never pick them or dig them up. They are quite rare and a treat to see. A neighbor has a few that grow near her spring box. And there is a group of them that grows along Highway One at Salt Point State Park. Look for the splash of orange-red now near mile marker 38.83 on the east side.

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

We have a lovely, calm (no wind!) day today with a chance...oh, I hope it happens...a chance of some rain later today/tonight. Fingers crossed!

May 31st had a minus tide that enticed Allen Vinson to head for Walk On Beach, on The Sea Ranch. The low tide revealed many wonders.

Look at all the Sea Anemones, and a Sea Star, an Ocher Star, on the right.

Here Allen's photo shows the intricate beauty of an Ocher Sea Star.

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here. Check out the Independent Coast Observer's tide tables to find out the best time to go tide pooling!

Wind, windy, windiest - yep, it's windy on the Mendonoma Coast today.

Ed Cutler was in the right place at the right time...and he had his camera. He photographed a mama Anna's Hummingbird feeding her chick, which had fledged. The mother is on the left.

It's fun to be able to see this! Thanks to Ed for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It's sunny and breezy on the Mendonoma Coast. For the first time, I could see the new life in the Osprey nest I watch with my spotting scope. Two scrawny heads were seen today.

See for yourself!

Jim Hennessy photographed this beautiful - or should I say, handsome - buck. Okay, the buck was probably just licking his mouth but it's pretty funny to see. This buck's antlers are in velvet, which is the membrane that nourishes the bone within. If you could touch it, you'd find it hot!

Thanks to Jim for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Jim's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://jimhennessyphoto.com/

It was foggy this morning but it has given way to sun in most places here on the Mendonoma Coast. No wind!