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They are just so beautiful and jaunty, blooming on coastal meadows. Cream Cups, Platystemon californicus, are a treat to see. Craig Tooley recently photographed some for us to enjoy with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.

Cream Cups are members of the Poppy family. Here's a closeup of two of them, taken by Mary Sue Ittner last year.

Thanks to Craig and Mary Sue for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Clouds this morning with a couple of drops of rain, followed by sun breaks this afternoon.

Spring doesn't know...

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Acorn Woodpeckers are year-round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Eric Zetterholm recently photographed three perched on a tree trunk.

Eric thought they were drilling holes into the tree. These woodpeckers do that. In the fall, they put acorns in granary trees, dead snags. They don't store the acorns to eat them. The acorns attract insects, which the woodpeckers then eat. Pretty smart, don't you think?

I have a Sunday bonus photo Eric took of the sunset and a spouting Gray Whale. Just lovely.

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

We are having a cool, sunny day, with plenty of clouds to make things interesting. Tonight's sunset could be beautiful!

Spring doesn't know...and the first fawn was seen today.

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If I'm allowed to have favorites, White-tailed Kites are some of my favorite birds. Jennifer Massey photographed one hovering in air, getting ready to nab his dinner.

These kites hunt small mammals, and they can be seen hovering over grassy meadows.

During non-breeding season, White-tailed Kites are known to roost together in groups of up to a hundred or so birds. To hear their quiet, whistle-like calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share her photos with you here. In her photos, the sky is oh-so-blue. Not so today as cool fog  moved in.

Spring doesn't know...

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This native plant is found in moist seeps, and in shady canyons and forests. Mary Sue Ittner has photographed these plants in a series of three photos. First is the flower in bud.

And here you can see the flower. They kind of look like little, white pompoms.

And here you will see Bob Rutemoeller walking down a shady path lined on either side by Coltsfoot. Looks like a wonderful trail to hike!

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

Sunny with high clouds today, and cooler by at least ten degrees.

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Yes, the first Harbor Seal pups have made their appearance in secluded coves. One area where they are born is at Tidepool Rookery off The Sea Ranch, another area is by the Point Arena Lighthouse/Point Arena Stornetta Lands. After the birth, the mother and pup touch noses. Sara Bogard recently witnessed a birth, and she photographed this photo which she entitled, "A Mother's Kiss." The mother is on the left.

A sweet, loving photo for you today. Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share it with you.

A few words of warning: never "rescue" a pup you might see along on the beach. The mother leaves her sweet pup to go feed. Also, make sure your dogs are leashed, or better yet, leave them behind if viewing Harbor Seals now. Make no noise or sudden movement, and you will be rewarded with a blissful sighting.

Another warm spring day here on the Mendonoma coast, with high clouds. Spring doesn't know...