Sightings

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Rick and I donated a brunch and wildflower walk as a raffle prize for the recent Ocean Film Festival and it was won by Richey Wasserman. On the wildflower walk two weeks ago, we were able to show him and his three guests a very rare plant, a Gnome Plant, Hemitomes congestum. Merita Whatley photographed it.

Gnome Plant at the Jacksons by Merita Whatley

These two are growing on a path we call the Huckleberry trail, named for the many huckleberry bushes alongside it. Gnome Plants are members of the Heath family. In Reny Parker's wildflower book, she writes, "The Gnome Plant is so secretive and illusive one is as likely to encounter a forest gnome as see one of these deep forest dwellers." I was particularly happy to be able to show the group this unusual and rare plant.

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

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Michael Beattie noticed this pair of Canada geese on a 40 foot tall rocky pinnacle off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. The Point Arena Lighthouse is in the distance.

Canada geese nesting off the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands by Michael Beattie Nesting Canada Goose by Michael Beattie

Michael watched the nest and, sure enough, there was a successful hatch of cute little goslings.

Canada geese goslings by Michael Beattie

It wasn't long before one of the parents was demonstrating to the goslings what they should do - "fly" down to the water.

Follow me - a Canada goose showing its offspring the way to the water by Michael Beattie

The other parent urges them on from behind. Bird expert, Diane Hichwa, says they should have been able to make it safely to the water. The little ones are so light, perhaps they just floated down!

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here, thus showing you this wildlife story.

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Paul Kozal's night sky photography is a joy to behold. He just captured this photo of Sea Cove on The Sea Ranch and the Milky Way.

Sea Cove and the Milky Way by Paul Kozal

Just beautiful! We have a lack of light pollution here on the Mendonoma Coast, which is to be treasured. And it allows talented photographers to get photos like this one.

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.searanchphotography.com/

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We have had a few sprinkles, but not much to speak of. However the clouds have brought some beautiful sunsets. Here's last night's sunset taken by Richard Hansen in Gualala.

Cinco de Mayo sunset by Richard Hansen

And day is done...

Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Tree Mercer was out near the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and took my advice to always check near your toes. Wildflowers can be very small. She looked down and this is what she found - Redmaids, Calandrinia ciliata.

Redmaids by Tree Mercer

California Poppies have been amazing this spring. Peter Cracknell photographed one tightly closed up, a rather unusual look at this wildflower.

CA Poppy by Peter Cracknell

Native rhododendrons, Pacific Rhododendron, are blooming. Catherine Miller took this photo.

Pacific Rhododendron by Catherine Miller

Today we are having light rain showers. That can only benefit our beautiful native wildflowers. Thanks to Tree, Peter, and Catherine for allowing me to share their photos with you here.