•

It's a lovely plant with a pretty tough common name,  Swamp Harebell. It's quite rare, growing in wetlands. Margaret Lindgren found a nice patch of them at her home in the Redwoods at The Sea Ranch.

I'm told the flowers are quite small - I have never seen one...yet! A summer bloomer, as you can see, though it can also bloom in early autumn. Its scientific name is Campanula californica. This native wildflower is endemic to the Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin coasts.

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

Sunny and hot today away from the ocean. Looks like it's foggy to our north at the ocean's edge. Microclimates - the Mendonoma coast specializes in them!

•

Craig Tooley sent in a Pic O Joy, this Gray Fox taking a  nice nap. Who knew a redwood stump would make a comfy bed?

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

Another sunny, windy day. Warm weather begins to move in tomorrow.

•

Michael Reinhart recently photographed a male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage.

These birds love thistle seeds. They seem to like each other's company, as they travel together in large flocks.

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

ooo, it's so windy today! It's sunny and mild, but the wind is brutal. My non-native lilies are having their blossoms ripped off today. Life on the Mendonoma Coast!

•

Craig Tooley recently photographed a newly-hatched Western Gull chick. Looks like the little one is calling to his or her parents to be fed. "Feed me NOW!"

These chicks have great camouflage, looking like pebbles. Here are two photos Craig took several years ago. The mother Western Gull is very devoted to her little chicks.

Fun Fact: Western Gulls are the only gull species that nests on the Mendonoma Coast.

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: http://www.ruffimage.com

Another warm, sunny day with breezes. Lots of whitecaps on the ocean today too! Scott Mercer told me at dusk last night, the 4th of July, 8 to 10 Blue Whales passed by, an amazing sighting. That speaks well to the abundance of feed - krill and copepods - in the Pacific Ocean now.

• 3 Comments

•

Paul Kozal took these photos from the bluffs overlooking the Point Arena Pier. It was the location for 4th of July fireworks in previous years. This year, fireworks displays have been called off/cancelled. But we can enjoy the bursts of color in Paul's fine photos.

I thank Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, here is his website: http://www.paulkozal.com/

Paul also has a studio in the Cypress Center in Gualala, Studio 391. Opening today, just opposite of Paul's studio, is the Gualala Arts Center's Dolphin Gallery.

It's sunny and quite warm. Lots of visitors are here enjoying the beautiful Mendonoma Coast. I'm sticking close to home!