Sightings

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Yesterday we had the first storm, which brought 1.94 inches of rain. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the color in the sky. I don't believe I've seen the sky look quite like this before.

The colors intensified for a minute as the sun began to sink below the horizon. I saw a green flash for a second or two. I caught a hint of it in the photo below.

At 4 pm on Sunday, we've had a little over 0.90 inches and it's still raining. My season to date roared past 41 inches yesterday. 50 inches is a "normal" wet winter at Rick's and my place in Anchor Bay. Hooray!

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Sara Bogard saw this rare visitor to our coast off the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula. It's a Harlequin Duck.

When talking to each other, Harlequin Ducks make un-duck-like squeaks, which gives them another common name, Sea Mouse.

A week or so earlier, in the same area, Sara had watched while two Common Ravens attempted to chase off a Red-tailed Hawk.

Can't we all just get along?

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

Saturday's storm was suppose to be the smaller of the storms but it's really pouring here. 1.60 inches so far. Yikes!

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Linda Bostwick went mushroom foraging with me a few weeks ago and we found several very large Sweet Tooth Hedgehogs Mushrooms. They are deliciously edible.

When Linda got it home, she measured and weighed it. It weighed in at one pound two ounces, and measured seven and a half inches across the top. These are considered beginner mushrooms as they have no dangerous lookalike. Instead of gills, they have many slender spikes. Dry sauté to release the moisture, then sauté with some butter, salt and pepper. Absolutely delicious with scrambled eggs! A gift from the forest.

I took the photo.

As I type this late Friday afternoon, it's the calm before the storms. Yes, storms, a series of them. Batten down the hatches!

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Judith Fisher wrote, “We live near the top of the Gualala Ridge, and face directly East. As the Sun sets, the Earth’s shadow climbs slowly, gradually up the far ridges, while painting the distant hills in shades of pink and apricot and lavender. Our sunset in reverse inspires gratitude—that we live here—and often, just one more photograph.”

How wonderful to be able to see the sunset looking east! Thanks to Judith for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

A vigorous storm came in this morning dropping a quick half-inch of rain. More rain is predicted for tonight. Then two days of calm before a series of wet storms hit the Mendonoma Coast.

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Gail Jackson photographed this tranquil scene. Western Gulls, California Gulls and more were resting on a local beach.

And then a Peregrine Falcon arrives, undoubtedly looking for a meal.

All the Gulls weren't sleeping, though, and they all launched into the air.

Thanks to Gail for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see much more of Gail's nature photography, here is her website: https://gailyimages.com/

It was sunny and cool this morning, but clouds are moving in this afternoon. Rain is predicted for Wednesday.