Sightings

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Tom Reindenbach found this mother Gray Fox and one kit in his garden in Irish Beach.

Here is a short video of the two. The little kit just wants to play!

Gray Fox with her kit in Irish Beach by Tom Reindendach

I think Gray Fox kits are among the cutest critters here on the Mendonoma Coast! Thanks to Tom for allowing me to share his photo and video with you here, and thanks to Carol Hofer for sending them along.

oh my goodness, someone left the heat on today. It peaked at 95 degrees. 95??? That's way too hot. Tomorrow is supposed to be quite a bit cooler. I sure hope so!

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Loch Michie was out photographing near the Point Arena Lighthouse when he saw this Great Blue Heron on the bluffs.

They are so beautiful! They are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.

To hear their rather unlovely calls, here is  a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/sounds

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

Today is simply amazing - hot on the ridge, perfect on the bluffs. A walk at Gualala Point Regional Park mid-morning with a visiting friend was wonderful!

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If you look close at Pam Powell's beautiful photo, you will such exquisite details of this male California Quail.

The black feather on his head? It's actually three feathers!  These birds are pairing off now, and chicks may soon appear. I found this Fun Fact on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website:

"Several California Quail broods may mix after hatching, and all the parents care for the young. Adults that raise young this way tend to live longer than adults that do not."

You can listen to their calls at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/sounds

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

It's breezy today and warm. 80 degrees this afternoon!

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Eric Zetterholm wrote, "A big Black Bear grabbed a late night snack from our can last night. It took a bag over to our neighbors’ yard for a moonlit picnic but got the attention of our dog and was soon eating in the bright light of my flashlight."

"Damage to the gate was small and the mess in the yard was minimal. The Bear was nice enough to eat from the bag like it was a melted candy bar without getting chocolate all over the place.”

You have to imagine Eric outside in the dark training his flashlight on the bear with one hand and taking photos with the other. Amazing!

Eric wrote further, “I think this gets me close to having a photo of all the different kinds of animals in our area. Fox, Bobcat, Coyote, Mountain Lion, Black Bear... I don't know what else will come to visit us.” Okay, Eric, here’s your challenge. You and Amy Ruegg need a visit from a Ring -tailed Cat. And a Badger. Let's not forget Long-tailed Weasels. And a Spotted Skunk.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here!

It's sunny this Sunday, with some passing clouds. It's cooler today, in the mid 60's and the wind is still a-blowing!

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John Sheafe was out looking at cloud formations. He wrote, “Here is the moon behind clouds shaped like the Sea of Cortez.”

The Sea of Cortez is also known as the Gulf of California. It’s remarkable how much the cloud resembles that part of the west coast. Pretty fun stuff, don't you think?

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

It's another sunny day, with the wind picking up in the afternoon. Lots going here over the holiday weekend!