Sightings

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Craig Tooley always has his camera with him, so he was able to take a quick photo of a Merlin lifting off from a tree.

Merlins are small, fierce falcons. They prey on small birds. They were impacted by the pesticide DDT, but they have recovered since DDT was banned. Fun Fact: Merlins don't build their own nests. They take over an old nest built by other raptors. Here is a link to hear their calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/sounds

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

It's hard to believe, but we have a winter-like series of storms coming in for Wednesday and Thursday. Wow!

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Our property in Anchor Bay has sandy soil. Matsutake mushrooms thrive in it and so do two very interesting and rare plants. The first is Gnome Plant, Hemitomes congestum. In years past, we have had a handful of them appear. This year we have a village of them! Gnome plants have no stem or leaf, and they produce no chlorophyll. They get their nutrients from decayed matter

Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata, is quite rare. Here are two emerging. On the far right are stalks of Sugarstick that bloomed two years ago. Amazing that after two winters worth of storms that the stalks are still standing. These plants also produce no cholrophyll. They get their nutrients from fungus.

The Gnome Plants and Sugarsticks are growing in the same area. And, yes, we find Matsutakes in the same area.

It will be fun to show you how these Sugarsticks evolve.

We are having a beautiful sun-splashed day today. Happy Mother's Day to all women who make an impact on children's lives.

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Kathleen Chasey recently photographed this beautiful butterfly called a Bramble Green Hairstreak, Callophrys dumetorum.

 

They are found only in coastal California, though there is a close relation found in coastal Oregon. Bramble Hairstreaks are on the wing from March through May.

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

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Adrian Bennett was enjoying the afternoon with her friend, Roxanne, when Roxanne noticed something unusual about Adrian's birdhouse. A tiny green frog was peeking out the entrance hole, which is draped with spiderwebs.

I love these treefrogs. Here's a close-up photo of one, taken by Allen Vinson.

And here's a photo of a juvenile Sierran Treefrog taken by Debbie Trujillo. Sure is tiny.

Thanks to Adrian, Allen and Debbie for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

The weather today was so strange. This morning the breeze came from inland and temperatures soared. But by afternoon, the breeze shifted and brought cool fog. I had opened lots of windows with the morning warm weather, but soon had to close them with the billowing fog.

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Mark Hancock heard on a radio interview on KGUA that I was looking forward to seeing Baby Blue Eyes, a native wildflower. He sent this photo, saying they are blooming in profusion at the Lighthouse.

Here's a closer look at one of these beautiful wildflowers, this photo was taken by Mary Sue Ittner.

Thanks to Mark and Mary Sue for allowing me to share their photos with you here.