Sightings

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With the wonderful rains, mushrooms are appearing as if by magic. After four years of drought, the autumn rains are inviting them to pop. King Boletes are up, as are Queen Boletes and Chanterelles. Jeff Quenzer found a pristine King Bolete.

Jeff Quenzer with a beautiful King Bolete, a selfie by Jeff Quenzer

It's a fun -  and delicious -  time to be on the Mendonoma Coast!

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

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A Snow Bunting was seen for over a week at Virgin Creek Beach in MacKerricher State Park. Ron LeValley was one of many who got a peek at this bird and he got this wonderful photo.

Snow Bunting by Ron LeValley

Snow Buntings are birds of the high arctic and snowy winter fields. They are sometimes affectionately called "Snowflakes." What this bird was doing on the temperate Mendonoma Coast is a mystery.

To hear the call of this bird, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/snow_bunting/sounds

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

http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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Amy Ruegg took a walk one cold morning and this is what she found - Mother Nature created a work of art with icy leaves.

Icy foliage by Amy Ruegg (Large)

We have a lot of storms headed our way and mushrooms are appearing seemingly everywhere. Lots of Boletus edulis being found, and Chanterelles too. Fly Amanitas are also up. I'll be sharing photos of them soon!

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

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Margaret Lindgren spends a lot of time showing visitors some of the special places on the coast, as she is the owner of Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours. On a recent tour the sun was creating rainbow waves.

A Rainbow Wave by Margaret Lindgren

Margaret took this photo from a bluff of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To learn about the great tours available, here is her website: http://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/

 

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One of our favorite edible mushrooms, Boletus edulis is appearing in greater numbers now. Also called Porcini, Cep or King Bolete, it is a joy to find. Irma Brandt found a uniquely conjoined twosome.

Unusual joining of Boletus edulis by Irma Brandt Bounty of Porcini by Irma Brandt

And here is a photo of Irma's successful mushroom hunt. These delicious mushrooms are usually found near Bishop Pine trees.

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