Sightings

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Adrian Bennett was the first to report it. She wrote, “The weather was clear to horizon with big puffy clouds. When the sun rose and hit them, they all turned into pink cotton candy fluffs. As the ocean waves hit the small bank of rocks between Monument Island and the shore, instead of mist, we saw steam! Yes, steam! First time I have seen that since I have been here 20 years.”

Scott Mercer took a photo of this phenomenon from the Physical Gym in Gualala. Scott said it was 33 degrees on their deck.

It’s called Sea Smoke or Steam Fog. It occurs when very cold air moves over warmer water.Thanks to Scott for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We certainly have had some cold weather here. This morning it was 39 degrees on our deck in Anchor Bay. After a lot of rain, we are having a break today. This coming week looks to be mostly dry and exquisitely beautiful.

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Anne Mary Schaefer wrote, “It was a grey, drizzly day when, as I was walking on the path, a shaft of sunlight pierced the grey. I paused to follow the shaft of light to see the bushes and trees edged in golden sunset light, and caught my breath to see a Stag standing proudly perfectly illuminated.”

When Anne Mary got home and looked at her photo, she saw a second Buck. She wrote, “It was an amazing moment and light, with a hidden bonus. The light disappeared as they both bounded off, leaving me with a feeling of renewed wonder at such a magical moment at Manchester Beach campground.”

Thanks to Anne Mary for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Anne Mary is a talented pet photographer too. Here's her websiste: https://www.pawpawrazzipetphotography.com/

If you missed my posts over the past four days, it was because we had a long power outage at our house. I'm glad to be back up and running thanks to the hardworking PG&E repair people. We have had  LOT of rain, over 37 inches season to date. The waterfalls are magnificent now.

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We've had cold temperatures recently, colder than usual for the Mendonoma Coast. We've had two days of measurable snow at higher elevations. Wendy Baily photographed this sight on Eureka Hill Road, in Point Arena.

We live at the 650' elevation and over the weekend we had snowflakes coming down but not sticking. But at 1,000' elevation, people received quite a bit of snow. Brrr!

Thanks to Wendy for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Wendy is the author of "Mary the Doll," a charming children's book. Among other retailers, it is sold at the Four-eyed Frog Bookstore in Gualala: https://www.foureyedfrog.com/

Showery, cool day today!

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Peter Baye came across this little Ten-tentacled Sea Anemone at low tide recently.

Sea Anemones come in varying colors and sizes. Here is a group of Aggregating Sea Anemones, photo taken by Grace O'Malley.

And a beautiful Blue Sea Anemone photographed by Sondra Hunter.

Sea Anemones are named after the flower, anemone, because of their beautiful colors.

Thanks to Peter, Grace, and Sondra for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Chilly weather on the Mendonoma coast today, with sunshine followed by brief downpours. It's quite lovely with clouds scudding across the sky.

 

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Mary Sue Ittner was on the Thursday Ramblers' hike last week. She found one of the first Western Trilliums, Trillium ovatum, up. It obviously had been raining!

She also found Slink Pod, Scoliopus bigelovii. I love looking for these tiny wildflowers. They are very hard to spot, so you look for the two leaves poking through the forest duff.

This morning I noticed the first Bracken Fern up and a few Huckleberry blossoms. Spring must be right around the corner! Thanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We have a lot of rain in our forecast, but there will be breaks to allow for nature walks on bluffs or along forest paths. Heed the siren call on Mother Nature!