Sightings

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We have had some beautiful sunsets over the past several days and one green flash that Rick and I saw. It was quick but glowed a beautiful emerald-green. Karen Tracy recently photographed a sunset at Cook's Beach, the very popular public access just north of Gualala.

Sunset at Cook's Beach by Karen Tracy

To learn more about our new public access spots, here is the link to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy: http://www.rc-lc.org/ The fine people at RCLC are doing such wonderful work to bring us access to these beautiful places where we can see a sunset like this one.

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

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Nancy Trissel was on a hike when she came across this endangered frog, the California Red-legged Frog, Rana draytonii.

California Red-legged Frog by Nancy Trissel

This frog is only found in California and a small part of Baja California. They are in serious decline due to habitat loss but they can be seen here on the Mendonoma Coast. They lay their eggs in the upper reaches of the Gualala River.

Here is another photo of this frog, taken by Darrell Paige.

California Red-Legged Frog by Darrell Paige (Large)

This frog is one of the many reasons we have to vigilant to make sure our watershed is protected from development.

Thanks to Nancy and Darrell for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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We have had several waves of monsoonal moisture visit the Mendonoma Coast in recent weeks, bringing small amounts of rain and this beautiful rainbow over the ocean photographed by Nancy Padgett.

Sea Rainbow by Nancy Padgett

A rare phenomenon, a fire rainbow, was seen over the restaurant Cove Azul in the Cypress Center in Gualala. Susan Cerruti was the lucky photographer who got this photo.

Fire Rainbow by Susan Cerruti

Today the sky is filled with clouds, remnants of a hurricane. The sunset should be amazing and I hope to share it with you here.

Thanks to Nancy and Susan for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Western Bluebirds nest in cavities so putting up the perfect size birdhouse might lure a pair to nest nearby your home. They are found near the bluffs here on the Coast. Susan and Jim Grenwelge have had Bluebirds coming to this beautiful birdhouse for several years.

Western Bluebird pair by Susan Grenwelge

Small birds, a Western Bluebird weighs only about an ounce. They are charming to see. Bluebirds mostly eat insects, though they will eat fruit and seeds, along with insects in the wintertime. To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/western_bluebird/sounds

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

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A fascinating creature of the sea, Velella velella, has been seen washed up on local beaches. Paul Horn recently photographed one that ended up in a tide pool.

By-The-Wind-Sailor, Velella velella, by Paul Horn

They are a distant relative of Jellyfish, though they don’t go underwater – they feed from the surface.

They are dependent on the wind for movement, hence their common name, By-the-wind-Sailors; their upper crest acts as a sail. Sometimes the wind shifts and drives them on shore. Paul is correct that this one was lucky to land in a tide pool. They must be in water to survive. I’ve learned that if a wave comes in and returns them to the sea, they will survive being beached for a short time.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. We have much to learn about the creatures that reside in the ocean.