Sightings

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Low tides are an invitation to take a tide pool walk. Noel Olson and her sons, Julian and Chase did just that recently, and they found something very interesting, several Hopkins’ Rose Nudibranchs. Noel wrote, “Today we spotted these two beauties in The Sea Ranch! My sons carefully held them [underwater] for scale."

Hopkins' Rose Nudibranchs by Noel Olson

 

What is interesting about the nudibranchs the Olsons found is these pink, spiky, one-inch long sea slugs are usually found off of Southern California; they prefer warmer waters. The last time they were found this far north was during the strong El Nino that brought heavy rains in 1997-1998.

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

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If conditions are perfect, you might be fortunate to see a fogbow, also called a white rainbow. Peggy Berryhill recently saw one form at Cooks Beach.

Fogbow by Peggy Berryhill

You look for fogbows in the morning hours. The fog should be about bluff high. It takes the morning sun to create one. Isn't it lovely?

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

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Robert Scarola was thrilled when this beautiful Great Blue Heron landed in a tree by his home on The Sea Ranch.

Great Blue Heron watching & waiting by Robert Scarola

It stayed there for some time, as if waiting and watching. Then, all of a sudden, it lifted off, poetry in motion.

Great Blue Heron Lift off by Robert Scarola

Sometime ago Robert photographed a heron coming in for a rather hard landing. "Brakes, brakes!"

Great Blue Heron comes in for the Landing by Robert Scarola

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Mary Sue Ittner was enjoying summer wildflowers at Gualala Point Regional Park. On the beach she found Yellow Sand Verbena, Abronia latifolia.

Yellow Sand Verbena by Mary Sue Ittner

This native wildflower is a member of the Four-O'Clock family and, like some of you, enjoys sand and sun!

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

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There is a flock of big American White Pelicans near the mouth of the Russian River at Jenner. Craig Tooley recently photographed one either just lifting off or coming in for a landing.

American White Pelican by Craig Tooley

We rarely see them on the Mendonoma Coast, though I just received a sighting of about twenty that flew by The Sea Ranch last Tuesday. Rick and I once saw two Am. White Pelicans flying over us while visiting the hamlet of Mendocino. They are BIG and very exciting to see!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com