Sightings

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Chris Pechal wrote, “This juvenile Cooper's Hawk flew up on our deck trying to catch one of the quail that was feeding down below. They got away again!”

Cooper’s Hawks are known for their flying prowess and, yes, they eat smaller birds.

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

The weather has turned warm today, mid 70's. Feels strange for mid-November. Yesterday in the warm weather, local beach accesses were full of cars. Might as well take advantage of the good beach weather!

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Amy Ruegg photographed a recent sunset at Pebble Beach, on The Sea Ranch.

Amy also found Oyster mushrooms.

And Scott Mercer found a King Bolete, boletus edulis, in his yard.

I heard that Catherine Miller found her first King Bolete this morning, along with the first Yellow Chanterelle. A combination of some rain (.14 inches at our place early Friday morning, and some heavy fog earlier in the week, seem to have prompted the first bloom of choice, edible mushrooms. Hooray!

Thanks to Amy and Scott for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The ground is damp, the sun is out and the temps this afternoon are in the high sixties. Perfect!

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Paul Brewer watched as a pair of Common Ravens tried to chase off one of the two Bald Eagles at the Gualala River. Paul photographed one of the Ravens trying to start down the Bald Eagle. It doesn't look like the Bald Eagle is having any of the Raven's attitude!

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

ooo, we had rain earlier this morning. We celebrate any of the wet stuff when it's been so dry. We didn't receive a lot but we did get .13 inches. The moss on the trees was moist this morning. I love to run my fingers over it as we walk along a forest path.

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Peggy Berryhill was traveling along the coast when she saw this beautiful sight at Elk - the iconic, much photographed sea stacks.

And out over the Pacific Ocean, sunbeams pierced the fog.

We are more likely to see sun rays, also called God's rays, from storm clouds but no such luck. Storms are staying way to our north bringing foggy right along the coast and mild sunny weather elsewhere. If you are suffering from the intense cold in many parts of the country, the Mendonoma coast could be the perfect antidote!

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

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Last week there were several green flashes at sunset.  Michael Reinhart was ready with his camera and he got this photo of the optical illusion. See the green on top of the clouds? And then again on the horizon - a double green flash!

Here's a green flash taken a few years ago by Rich Kuehn. The sun appears to narrow and then pinch off at the middle. This is a perfect example of that phenomenon beginning to occur.

And Jim Grant got this amazing photo of a double green flash.

Green flashes come in various guises. To watch the sunset is always wonderful, but if you also get to see a green flash, consider yourself blessed!

Thanks to Michael, Rich and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The fog pulled back this afternoon and the Pacific Ocean is sparkling in the sun.