Sightings

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Deidre Harrison was having a wonderful nature-sighting day.

She wrote, "I was sitting by myself at the Harbor Seal pullout [off The Sea Ranch] when I noticed what I thought was a particularly acrobatic seal. When I looked closer with my binoculars, I saw it was a large River Otter, actively fishing in that area, and three smaller otters, presumably her pups. As I watched, the group went further out to sea and headed south towards Shell Beach.”

That same day Deidre saw a young Bobcat in her driveway. I asked her about the size of the planter box to get a size comparison. She wrote, “The planter is about three feet high, and the little Bobcat looked amused rather than alarmed when my goofy dog started barking at her from inside the house.”

Any day you see a Bobcat is a good day!

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

For now, the smoke is gone. We have fog over the ocean this afternoon, with blue skies overhead.

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Don Chigazola captured this beautiful sight - Shell Beach, which is on The Sea Ranch, and the Milky Way.

A beautiful work of art!

Thanks to Don for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The smoke is much less today. We're looking forward to a nice westerly breeze to disperse the smoke.

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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.

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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.

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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!