Sightings

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A few Matsutakes appeared in the same spot they fruit every year. Usually there is an undulating string of at least fifteen Matsutakes but this year only four have sprouted.

 Rozann Grunig took this photo of me holding a nice Matsutake.

And here is a photo of several Shrimp Russulas. They like our Shore Pine habitat, just off our driveway. Our golden retriever, Huckleberry, likes them too. It's a race to see who gets them first - him or me.

We are longing for rain but the weather is remarkably autumn-like - warm and dry as a bone. If it rains, I hope to see Black Trumpets, Hedgehogs and Winter Chanterelles. May it rain soon!

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

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Ron McMath and Carolyn Young watched a Pileated Woodpecker looking for bugs on an old apple tree on the Gualala ridge recently. Ron took several photos of this prehistoric-looking bird. Pileateds drill rectangular-shaped holes looking for their favorite food, carpenter ants.

 If you could see this big woodpecker in flight, you'd see its wingspan is nearly thirty inches!

Pileated Woodpeckers have a very distinctive call. You can hear it at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at this link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/pileated_woodpecker/sounds

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's photography, here's the link to his website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ron-mcmath.html

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Big swells create big crashing waves. The Pacific Ocean today is proud and loud! Margaret Lindgren and her husband found a spot at Salt Point State Park close enough to feel the salt spray but far enough back to be safe.

The power of the ocean can make you feel great exhilaration and joy!

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you. To see Margaret's website of various hiking experiences here on the Mendonoma Coast, here is her website: www.unbeatenpath.weebly.com

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Calm, clear days followed by star-spangled nights, the winter that feels like autumn continues. Last night's sun beginning to set allowed Carolyn André to get a beautiful photo.

The sun has laid down a golden stairway across the Pacific Ocean, just lovely.

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

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Martin Steinpress captured a big of magic recently - a green flash.

Martin also saw the food chain in action at the Gualala River. Below a River Otter has nabbed a Gull and is taking it to shore for its lunch. I believe there is a second River Otter behind the one carrying the Gull. They do hunt cooperatively.

River Otters swim underneath a group of unsuspecting Gulls and then grabs one for dinner. A River Otter was seen taking a Brown Pelican this way. It can be hard to see but it is part of our natural world.

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

To see a photo of a  green flash that turned into a blue flash and then a purple flash, photographed by Ron LeValley, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/08/10/a-green-flash-that-turned-into-something-more-as-photographed-by-coastal-photographer-ron-levalley/