Sightings

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Common Ravens are thriving on the Mendonoma Coast. And it is a cause for concern. Ravens are extremely intelligent and people enjoy feeding them. Peggy Berryhill lives in a area where a neighbor has been feeding these big black bird. Here is a collage of what Peggy saw the other afternoon.

Ravenwood by Peggy Berryhill

Ravens eat pretty much everything, including carrion, and they raid nests of other less aggressive birds. It would be best not to feed them, as they do not need anyone's help.

When they have more food available, they are able to lay more eggs, thus we have more Ravens. Here is a recent photo of a Raven's nest taken by Kathy Bishop showing newly hatched four chicks in the nest.

Common Raven Chicks by Kathy Bishop

One of the things I admire about Ravens is their vocalizations. They have a "clock, clock" sound which is quite beautiful.

Thanks to Peggy and Kathy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Ron LeValley was at the right place at the right time to capture this wave action at the Little River Headlands in Mendocino.

Little River Wave by Ron LeValley

It looks like the exuberant wave is going in two directions!

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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Gary Levenson-Palmer recently photographed a beautiful sunset.

Beautiful sunset by Gary Levenson-Palmer

Doesn't it relax you just to see it?

We have a big holiday weekend coming up. I am told most places to stay are booked up. If you are on the coast, Craig Tooley and I will be at the Four-Eyed Frog Bookstore, http://www.foureyedfrog.com/,  Saturday May 23, from 2 to 4 pm signing our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout The Year. Stop by and say hello!

Thanks to Gary for allowing me to share this photo with  you here.

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Kate Gelles was enjoying springtime on the Mendonoma Coast by photographing wildflowers. She found Cream Cups, Platystemon californicus.

Cream cups, Platystemon californicum, by Kate Gelles

This native wildflower is found on coastal meadows. Such a beauty!

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

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Susan Bechtel recently visited Glass Beach in Fort Bragg and took a photo of the of the sparkling sea glass.

Glass Beach by Susan Bechtel (Large)

There are actually three glass beaches in Fort Bragg, all former trash dump sites. Up until 1967 most trash was thrown over the cliffs into the ocean, a common practice of seaside residents for centuries.

The Pacific Ocean took the multi-colored glass bottles and, over the years, tumbled them into small pieces of sea glass. The rock formations at Fort Bragg create wave patterns that kept glass on the beach. The tides and the sand worked together to smooth and round the glass.

The Glass Beach at MacKerricher State Park is easy to visit. Turn left on Elm Street and park at the end. Susan warns there is a stand of poison oak at the beginning of the trail. The trail, she says, is easy. Leave the glass for others to enjoy.

Thanks to Susan for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To learn more about MacKerricher State Park, here is the link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=436