Sightings

•

Scott Mercer noticed a feeding frenzy off the Mendonoma Coast. Anchovies have been here in massive abundance. Whales, fish and birds - and who knows who else! - have been feeding on them.

Steve Bennett photographed the fun sight of Brown Pelicans coming in for a landing, with some cormorants watching.

Thanks to Scott and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To follow Scott's whale sightings, you can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mendonoma- Whale-and-Seal-Study-1421926098039236

Smoky and mild on the Mendonoma Coast today. We're hoping the sea breezes will pick up and disperse the smoke.

•

I have never seen a young Western Gray Squirrel but Steve Bennett recently captured one with his camera. Cute little guy or gal!

Gray Squirrels are tree squirrels, and they are known to be shy. When you see one, most likely it will run up a tree! Here's a photo of a mature Gray Squirrel taken by Ron LeValley.

We have these handsome squirrels living in the area where we live.

Thanks to Steve and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. You can see much more of Ron's nature photography at this link: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

The heat wave ended, the marine layer pushed in and smoke overhead made for an eerie, cool day.

•

Oh my, it's hot on the Mendonoma Coast, way too hot. This Harbor Seal knows how to relax and cool off at the same time. Sara Bogard photographed this contented Harbor Seal off the Point Arena Lighthouse bluffs.

shhh, I think I can hear this seal snoring...

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

Yes, it's a cooker here. 80+ degrees right at the ocean, and at our house in Anchor Bay it has hit 100+ degrees. The heat wave is suppose to break tomorrow. I wouldn't mind if it broke this afternoon! Begone, heat wave! For those who love hot weather, this is your time!

 

•

Several people sent in photos this past week of Praying Mantises.  Joyce Nugent wrote, “I saw this Praying Mantis on my strawberries this weekend. What a delight! I haven’t seen one in years.”

Roxanne Holmes said this one paid her a visit.

Mary Bennett wrote, “I thought this was a rather handsome Praying Mantis.  I think he was as interested in me as I was of him.”

Late summer and early autumn are the most likely time to see these fascinating insects. They are fully grown now and this is their mating season. Fun Fact: If you see a Praying Mantis in your garden, you have a healthy ecosystem.

Thanks to Joyce, Roxanne and Mary for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's HOT on the Mendonoma Coast today. 91 degrees in the shade at our place.

•

The trouble-making thunderstorms California experienced last month brought an unusual cloud formation over the Pacific Ocean. Ned Alpers called it a “cloud-island.”

Jim Garlock saw it in Gualala and wrote, “I just looked outside and thought a new land mass had sprung out of the ocean. It was a cloud that has now disappeared, but it was certainly a strange view.”

John Wall saw it too. He wrote, “I saw this really interesting and unusual cloud formation as I was driving south by Stewart’s Point. It was worth pulling over to take a pic even though it got me stuck behind a Winnebago that wouldn’t pull over! [The cloud formation] made me want to dial up “Islands In the Sky.’ What an amazing place we live in!”

Scott Gasparian took a look at the photos and sent me several links that explained this rare phenomenon. It was a type of Arcus cloud called a Roll cloud, or a Morning Glory cloud. They can be created by downdrafts of thunderstorms.

Thanks to John, Jim and Ned for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Heat wave on the Mendonoma Coast! Might I tell you I do not like the heat? It's nearly 30 degrees hotter today than yesterday. At our home in Anchor Bay we are at 90 degrees this afternoon.