Sightings

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These unusual rock formations, nicknamed Moon Rocks, can be seen just south of Stump Beach at Salt Point State Park. John Sperry recently photographed them.

They are calleded Moon Rocks because of their many craters. These are sedimentary sandstone formations. They actually continue underwater and provide valuable habitat for marine life. Above the sea, salt crystals are found in the cracks and crevices, which are called tafoni. Kasaya Pomo collected salt there for many years, using abalone shells as chisels. This is how this land came be to named Salt Point.

John photographed several other unusual rock formations there. Rick and I have hiked there many times and it is a place like no other.

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

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I'll let Robert tell about his photo. He wrote, "Just off our deck is a Douglas-fir with lots of tips. This guy appeared the other day, flying in with that classic woodpecker dip and dive flight pattern. We also have a Bishop Pine nearby that woodpeckers like to dig for bugs, and a couple of Tan-bark oaks not too far away where he can find acorns, so I think he was looking around to see where to go next to feed.

"I loved his bright red head and white body markings. Acorn Woodpeckers are very striking to my eye, with a large and really powerful beak."

I love their call. It is very distinctive and sounds like no other bird. To hear it for yourself, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/acorn_woodpecker/sounds

I thank Robert for his photo and his story.

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Bettye Winters photographed these thunderclouds from the storm of last week. The storm was a very cold one and for a brief moment it snowed at our house in Anchor Bay - a very rare occurrence!

And the sunset the next night, Feb. 20th, was beautiful too.

Thanks to Bettye for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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We have had little rain for the first two months of 2013. We are hoping and praying for more. We did have a very cold storm sweep through last week. It gave Nik Epanchin a change to get a beautiful rainbow photo.

Today feels like springtime here on the Coast. It's in the mid sixties and I have windows and doors open to the warm soft air. Does this sound like February to you?!

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

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Once in a while a Coyote will wander into the Mendonoma Coast. Patty McBratney saw this Coyote on The Sea Ranch.

Canis latrans is its Latin name, which means barking dog. I wonder what caught this Coyote's eye. Patty was struck by the red highlights of this canine's coat. Coyotes are extremely intelligent and can live in the wild to about ten years.

Thanks to  Patty for allowing me to share her photo wit you here.