There are some sunsets that just have to be shared. Here is one taken by Richard Kuehn.
Unless the fog lifts there will be no dramatic sunset today!
Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Sightings
Barbara Thrush witnessed the birth of a Harbor Seal pup.
Harbor Seal pups are being born on secluded coves. The bluffs at The Sea Ranch are one of the places you can quietly watch without disturbing them. Barbara Thrush saw a birth from start to finish.
Finally the little one is born.
Next the pup and its mother bond. They are also marking each other's scent so they can find each other.
And lastly the newborn pup tests the waters with mom watching close by.
Once again let me caution people not to "rescue" a pup left alone on a beach. The mother will leave her newborn while she fishes to feed herself. She will return!
Thanks to Barbara for allowing me to share her wonderful photos with you here.
A bright and beautiful native wildflower so…why is it called a Wallflower?
Peter Baye found this beauty blooming on a rocky outcrop along the Gualala River. Its common name is Wallflower, and its scientific name is Erysimum capitatum. It doesn't look like a shy, retiring wallflower to me!
Peter describes this flower as egg-yolk yellow, and you can see why. Peter had previously photographed a different species of Wallflower, Erysimum menziesii ssp menziesii.
Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Here’s a photo of the first Harbor Seal pup of 2015.
We are always on Harbor Seal pup watch every spring and it's exciting when the first one appears. Allen Vinson was there on a bluff at The Sea Ranch when it happened on the first of April.
And soon the little pup was nursing.
Since then 18 more have been born. It's that time of year to especially keep your dogs on leash when approaching a beach. Pups are very vulnerable. Never "rescue" one. The mother leaves her newborn soon after birth so she can fish for herself. She will return to her sweet pup. If you do find a marine mammal in distress, call the Marine Mammal Center at 415 289-7350. They will send a trained local to assess the situation.
Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
A tiny frog with a big voice.
Richard Kuehn noticed the little green frog posing on a Calla Lily. It's a Sierran Treefrog, also called a Chorus Treefrog.
They have the ability to change their color to match certain environments. They seem to enjoy being close to hot tubs. Here's a photo by Rich of one changing to match the wood.
I love these little frogs. At the first hint of moisture they begin to vocalize.
Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share these photos with you here.