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Shari Goforth was at Stewarts Point at dusk to watch the Vaux's swifts enter the old brick chimney. She was rewarded with a sighting of this young Great Horned Owl.

 

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website, http://www.allaboutbirds.org, says about these owls: "With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics."

You can hear their hooting calls at this link, also at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds

Thanks to photographed Shari Goforth for allowing me to share her great photo with you here.

Today was a beautiful, sunny, breezy day.

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Sierran Treefrogs, also know as Chorus treefrogs, are usually bright green with black markings on their heads on either side of their eyes. John Forte found one sitting still on a leaf, as if waiting for his/her close-up!

This tiny frogs can change their color to a reddish brown. Stacy Lore photographed this treefrog changing from green to brown.

While tiny, the males have a very big voice! I have one in my courtyard now, occasionally giving out "ribbit, ribbit" calls.

Thanks to John and Stacy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We had almost a half inch of rain the past two days, a blessing. Today the clouds have departed leaving us with sunshine and the wonderful smells of wet forests. As a friend said, "the forests are singing!"

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Michael Reinhart has a real talent for photographing birds. He got this young Bald Eagle flying by recently. I believe this bird is 1 and 1/2 years old, so last year's young.

Bald Eagles go through many changes in their appearance during the first five years. Here's a link to Avian Report that shows the evolving feathers, beak and even the eyes of a developing Bald Eagle: https://avianreport.com/age-and-identify-a-juvenile-and-sub-adult-bald-eagle/

At five and a half they have their mature coloration and they won't change in the years ahead. Males and females look alike, but the female is about one third bigger than her mate.

Here is a recent photo of an adult Bald Eagle near the Gualala River, taken by Jim Garlock.

 

Thanks to Michael and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's lovely here today, high 60's, and a gentle breeze. Huckleberries are ripe and ready for picking. Yum!

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Can you imagine yourself driving up Highway One with the sky glowing with color from the sunset? Whether you are heading home or heading for a Mendonoma adventure, it is sure to gladden your heart.

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

After the Labor Day weekend heatwave the fog reappeared, the coast's air conditioning system. Foggy today, but the sun has broken through, temps in the 60s.

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Craig Tooley went tide pooling at a recent low tide. He wrote, “I got this picture in one of the tide pools near Green Cove. So fun to see them anytime, but having the little hitchhiker hermit crab added just a little extra smile to my face.” Craig photographed a new-to-me nudibranch, also called a sea slug. They come in many different colors and shapes. Jan Roletto of NOAA confirmed that Craig’s photo shows a San Diego Dorid, Diaulula sandiegensiss.

They have irregular dark rings or spots arranged in two rows on their backs. They are an uncommon find this far north and they feed on sponges. To see a tiny hermit crab on this nudibranch is a treat.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

No fog today, though there are some wispy clouds overhead. It's pretty darn warm - close to 90 degrees.