Ron Bolander was driving on Highway One near Westport (north of Fort Bragg) when he saw this huge Roosevelt Elk.
There were three more resting and grazing in the grasses, all males.
So far we haven't seen any females...yet! It seems like they are extending their territory southward, an exciting development.
Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. Ron has a showing of his nature photography at the White Cap in Anchor Bay. The opening is Sunday, July 1st, 3 to 5 pm.
When the fog is chased away by on-shore breezes, the horizon is clear at sunset. That's when you look for a green flash. Eric Zetterholm recently photographed one.
Legend says to see a green flash it sure to bring you good luck.
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
River Otters have been spotted at the Gualala River mouth. They are also found in other creeks and rivers on the Mendonoma coast. Gail Jackson photographed two River Otters looking at her. I wonder what the otters are thinking!
Here is a close up of a River Otter, taken by Dard Hunter, eating an octopus.
A year ago I watched one emerge from the Garcia River and proceed to roll in the sand.
The otter rolled with gusto for several minutes, and then was done.
River Otters can't abide pollution, so it's a testament to the clean waterways here on the coast.
Thanks to Gail and Dard for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Warm weather forecast for the weekend!
Jill Larsen was kayaking on the Gualala River. She wrote, "We saw this sunbathing turtle on the wonderfully full Gualala River while kayaking Memorial Day weekend.”
What Jill saw was a Western Pond Turtle, a shy resident of the river. You have to be quiet to have a sighting of one of these native turtles, otherwise your sighting will consist of ripples in the river, showing where the turtle dove.
Thanks to Jill for allowing me to share her photo with you here. We are having a foggy, cool day on the Mendonoma Coast today.
Walter Stillman spotted a family of Gray Foxes in the Point Arena area. He photographed three of the cute kits with their mother.
Walt said he also saw the father standing guard at a distance. It looks like two of the little kits are trying to nurse in this photo below.
I wrote a feature for the Press Democrat on gray foxes which appeared June 14. If you'd like to read it - and see Craig Tooley's great fox kit photos - here is the link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/8427192-181/brace-yourself-for-cuteness-its
Thanks to Walt for allowing me to share his photos with you here.