Sightings

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This little squirrel, also called a Chickaree Squirrel or a Pine Squirrel, was looking right at Craig and his camera.

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They eat pine seeds, acorns, berries and other fruits, and they are waiting for the first mushrooms to appear, as they eat them too.

Actually two people have found edible mushrooms recently, Boletus eduilis and Oyster mushrooms. But it's been too dry since our first two storms for many mushrooms.

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

We had a beautiful sunrise this morning, as clouds have been streaming by. Bonus pic taken by me. See the big moon in the upper right. A lovely way to start the day.

There are a lot of clouds this afternoon so we could have a spectacular sunset!

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At a recent low tide, Catherine Miller found lots of beautiful animals living in the intertidal zone. Sea Anemones and Ochre Sea Stars are living jewels.

The next King Tides are Dec. 13 to 15. Look for the super low tides that come with this event and head for a beach near you!

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

High pressure rules the weather - cold, starry nights and sunny days. Where's our rain?

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Gary Hopkins found this butterfly recently - a Gulf Fritillary.

In over 15 years of writing my Mendonoma Sightings column, I've only had one other sighting of this beauty, and that was by Kate Gelles in 2009.

I've learned this butterfly, also called a passion butterfly, is expanding their range. So, hopefully, sightings of them will become a little more common. Time will tell.

Thanks to Gary and Kate for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another stunning, sunny day with no rain in sight.

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We usually see many Monarchs in the autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. But sightings this year have been few and far between - not good news for these beautiful butterflies. However, Molly McKusick found this one at The Sea Ranch.

And Grace O'Malley photographed this one in Timber Cove.

I saw a large orange butterfly this morning from my house, but it was too far to confirm if it was a Monarch, but I'd like to believe it was!

Thanks to Molly and Grace for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another clear, dry day, with mild temperatures. Thank goodness we had those two storms before this high pressure system moved back in. Last night there was a green flash at sunset, and conditions for one tonight look very promising.

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Monday's sunrise was so beautiful and Paul Brewer was ready to photograph it so we could all see it.

Now that's a nice way to start your day!

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. Paul's photographs are for sale through Gualala Arts' gallery, the Dolphin Gallery, which has a new home in Cypress Village in Gualala.

A breezy, sun-splashed day, with lots of people arriving for the holiday. And the paving/striping of Highway One from the Gualala Bridge to Point Arena is finally, beautifully done. Hooray!