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For years I didn't realize there were tiny, exquisite bell-shaped flowers underneath the leaves of Fairybells, Prosartes hookeri, and Largeflower Fairybells, Prosartes smithii. Talk about shy! Craig Tooley recently found the Largeflower Fairybells in bloom.

Here is another look at the blossoms, a photo Craig took several years ago.

We have the smaller native wildflower, Hooker's Fairybells, growing in our forest. Here's what the leaves look like. Sorry, these next two are my photos and they are no where near the quality of Craig's!

The flowers hide underneath the leaves.

Okay, here's one of Craig's photos to make up for mine.

Many wildflowers are tiny - they are Mother Nature's way of making sure you pay attention!

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

A beautiful, sun-splashed day on the Mendonoma coast today.

Spring doesn't know...

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It looks the Sea Stars continue to recover from the wasting disease. CeCe Case photographed a group of Ochre Stars at low tide. As you can see, they come in a variety of colors!

They were formerly called Starfish, but they aren't fish. Hence the name change to Sea Stars. Ochre Stars normally have five arms, but I saw a recent photo of one with eight arms.

There are many incredible creatures living in the intertidal zone.

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

Cooler today, with a breeze off the ocean.

Spring doesn't know...

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Craig Tooley is sheltering in place at the Mendonoma Coast. He has decided to try to take a photo every day that spreads JOY. I am the lucky recipient of many of Craig's photos and I'm privileged to be able to share them with you here. First is one of our native orchids, Spotted Coralroot, Corallorrhiza maculata, including a close-up of the exquisite blossom. Feeling the JOY yet?

Craig also photographed Wood Anemone, also called Windflower.

This native is in the Buttercup family and its scientific name is Anemone oregana. Rick and I have this wildflower growing on our property too. The flower is very delicate. In fact, if you touch it, it might fall apart. Suffice to say, the bloom doesn't last long, which can be a reminder to stay in present time so you don't miss it!

Thanks to Craig for the JOY! To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com

Weather report: Foggy and cloudy this morning...brrr! But the sun has prevailed this afternoon. Some high clouds might make for a beautiful sunset tonight.

Spring doesn't know...

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Right on time, the first blooming Pacific Rhododendrons have been seen. Catherine Miller photographed one over the past weekend.

We call them wild Rhodies. They are native from southern British Columbia to Northern California. Their scientific  name is Rhododendron macrophyllum, which literally means, “Rose tree with big leaves.” Here's a closeup of a blossom Catherine took in a prior year.

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

Another sunny, warm, breezy day in Anchor Bay. I see fog over the ocean so perhaps it is foggy to our north. Lots of micro climates here on the Mendonoma Coast!

The wild rhodies are blooming because Spring doesn't know.

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Rich Dong recently photographed a Ceanothus Silkmoth.

As did John Sheafe. These large moths can measure up to five inches wingtip to wingtip.

I've often wondered if Nike got their idea for their swoosh from the markings on this moth. Below is a photo of Ceanothus in bloom, this photo taken by Bob Rutemoeller.

Thanks to Rich, Bob and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another sunny, breezy (perhaps windy by afternoon!) day today.

Spring doesn't know...