Jan Jewell spotted the Circumhorizontal Arc, also called a Fire Rainbow, a few weeks ago.
A Common Raven can be seen flying by on the right. This phenomenon is caused by the refraction of sunlight in ice crystals found certain clouds, in particular cirrus clouds.
Here is another example of a fire rainbow, this one taken by Peggy Berryhill.
Yes, there was beauty in the sky! Thanks to Jan and Peggy for allowing me to share their photos here with you.
A successful Peregrine Falcon nest is to be celebrated. We keep the exact location secret to protect these birds. Craig Tooley, along with Rick and myself, was invited onto a private property that has a near eye-level view of the nest. The photos show the mother feeding her two chicks with the father perched on the rock above.
This nest is in southern Mendocino County. We hope these chicks thrive and that they will delight us in the years to come with their exceptional speed.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com
Mary Sue Ittner was out with the Thursday Ramblers, a weekly hiking group. Last Thursday they went to the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Here are some of Mary Sue's discoveries. The first is Mule's Ears, Wyethia angustifolia. The narrow leaves are said to be edible and it's a member of the Sunflower family.
Next is Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. It's a member of the Sunflower family, and its bloom is fragrant. It is purported to have medicinal qualities.
And finally Earth Brodiaea, Brodiaea terrestris. A member of the Lily family, it is also called Ground Brodiaea.
Thanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Barbara Thrush spotted this Tom Turkey showing off his beautiful tail feathers, obviously hoping to impress a Hen or two.
The males really have a lot of color, don't they? Siegfried Matull once photographed a male Tom Turkey flying from a hedgerow on The Sea Ranch.
It is thought these turkeys are not native here, but others disagree. We know they are here now and can be seen occasionally right alongside Highway One.
Thanks to Barbara and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
One of the most photographed birds on the Mendonoma Coast, Great Blue Herons are beautiful to see. Laura Cover photographed one taking off from the bell tower of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Point Arena, a study in elegance.
Another fun photo of a GBH taking off was taken by Robert Scarola.
And one last photo of a Great Blue Heron taking flight, this one by Craig Tooley.
Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast.
In all of these photos, it looks foggy. There is no fog on the coast today. It's warm with very little wind. Abalone divers were out this morning with the minus tide, and every pullout had vehicles. Hope everyone had a safe, successful dive.
Thanks to Laura, Robert, and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com