Sightings

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Peter Cracknell photographed a Bobcat recently. The first shows the Bobcat hunting, probably hunting a tasty gopher.

Bobcat hunting by Peter CracknellThe next photo shows the Bobcat from behind - its tufted ears and bobbed tail are clearly shown.Bobcat heads on out by Peter Cracknell

Bobcats are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. It is always a treat to see one - unless you have chickens!

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

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Ken Bailey spotted this mother/calf pair headed north. The calf here is on the right side of its mother, staying close for protection. Killer whales prey on Gray Whale calves.

Gray Whale mother with her calf by Ken Bailey

NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has a hexacopter drone, which can safely photograph marine mammals from above. Here is a recent photo shared on Journey North of a Gray Whale mother with her calf. The photo is courtesy of Wayne Perryman.

 

NOAA hexacopter photo of a mother Gray Whale and her calf, courtesy of Wayne Perryman

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo. To see much more of Ken's nature photography, including underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

To learn more about NOAA, here is their website: www.noaa.gov

And to track the Gray Whale migration, and much more, visit Journey North: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

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Mary Sue Ittner is a wildflower enthusiast and she wasn't disappointed on a recent hike to Salt Point State Park. Among the beauties she found was Checker Mallow, Sidalcea Malviflora.

Checker Mallow, Sidalcea malvaeflora, by Mary Sue Ittner

Also see was Common Meadowfoam, Limnanthus douglasii.

Common Meadowfoam, Limnanthus douglasii, by Mary Sue Ittner

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, is always fun to find.

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, by Mary Sue Ittner

And she found a nice group of edible [when young] mushrooms, Shaggy Manes.

Shaggy Manes by Mary Sue Ittner

To learn more about the fascinating and beautiful Salt Point State Park, here is a link to their website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=453

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

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Mark Simkins and Kitty Wolfe were at The Sea Ranch when they saw this at low tide - thousand of mussels.

Low Tide at Shell Beach - thousands of Mussels by Mark Simkins

Other creatures to look for are Sea Urchins. Craig Tooley took this photo.

Sea Urchins by Craig Tooley

And Sea Stars, this one photographed by Noel Olson. It is an Ochre Sea Star.

Summer Cheerleader - an Ochre Sea Star by Noel Olson

Thanks to Mark, Craig, and Noel for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Tide pooling is a Coast tradition.

To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com.

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Peter entitled his photo, "Not a care in the world." Harbor Seal mothers give birth on secluded beaches. There is a large rookery at Tidepool Beach on The Sea Ranch.

Not a care in the world, a Harbor Seal pup with its mother by Peter Cracknell

Yes, life is good when you are on the beautiful Mendonoma Coast!

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