Sightings

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This weekend brought calmer weather and abalone divers from near and far headed to the Mendonoma Coast. The swells were minimal but the visibility was not good. That didn't stop seekers of red treasure from finding their goal.

Here is a photo from a recent dive. Roger Rude and his dive buddy, Jack Likins, each got a ten+ inch abalone. Roger also speared a Lingcod.

Roger Rude with a ten+ inch Abalone and a Lingcod by Jack Likins (Large)

Rick and I took a walk on the Walk-on-Beach public access trail on The Sea Ranch yesterday, Saturday. We greeted two abalone divers headed back to their truck. They were tired but happy. We saw the trail they used to get down the bluff face. It is steep, very steep. I guess abalone divers must be part mountain goat!

Here is a photo of the iridescent interior of an Abalone shell, taken by Craig Tooley

Abalone shell by AUG Craig Tooley

Thanks to Jack for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To learn more about abalone diving, preparing abalone, and much more, here is a link to Eric Anderson's awesome website: http://www.abaloneten.com/home

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

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Richard Kuehn has been enjoying the mother/calf pairs now passing by the Mendonoma Coast. He caught this great photo showing the baleen of a juvenile Gray Whale. The calf's mother is close behind.

A Gray Whale calf shows its baleen with mom close behind by Richard Kuehn

The baleen is a filter-feeder system where the whale takes in water. The whale then pushes the water out and the animals in the water, such as krill, are filtered by the baleen and become food for the whale. However, this calf is still nursing.

Rich saw this calf breach twelve times! Earlier in the day a Gray Whale calf  spyhopped and Rich got that photo too.

CA Gray Whale calf spyhopping by Richard Kuehn

Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share these photos with you here.

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Boletus edulis, also called King Boletes, Porcini or Cep, have responded to a good rain we received in April. They decided to pop up in all their glory. Justine Rosenthal found two big ones. They are deliciously edible.

Justine Rosenthal with a huge Boletus edulis by Janine Johnson

Justine was celebrating World Tai Chi day when she found this beauty. Janine Johnson photographed this happy mushroom forager.

If you are on the Coast, check your spots - more were found earlier this week. They normally fruit in the fall, after the first rains, usually in November and December. With climate change who knows what the new normal will be.

Thanks to Justine and Janine for allowing me to share this photo with you here.

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One of my favorite birds, Brown Pelicans have been seen riding the thermals along the coastline. Richard Hansen photographed the returning adults.

Brown Pelicans are appearing by Richard Hansen

Adult Brown Pelicans have white heads and brown underparts. The juveniles with their brown heads and white underparts will be seen once they have grown strong enough to undertake the migration.

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

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Banana slugs often eat mushrooms in the forest. Bill Clark photographed one in the act.

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All sizes of Banana slugs are appearing now in the forest. We have to be careful where we step because we really, really, really do not want to step on one.

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