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Tom White captured a photo of a beautiful Bobcat. We think he/she is a young one, not fully grown.

Notice the marking on the bobcat's legs - they are quite distinctive. In fact, every bobcat's coat is unique to itself, just like our fingerprints are to us.

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

Thankfully, it cooled off some today. 104 degrees yesterday seems insane for the Mendonoma coast, but that was our high. Mid 80's today.

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Anne Mary Schaefer knows a beautiful setting when she sees one. She recently photographed the sea stacks off of Elk, one of the most photographed spots on the coast. I always marvel at this sight when driving by.

Anne Mary has a talent for capturing the magic light. and I thank her for allowing me to share this photo with you here. Anne Mary is also a talented pet photographer. Here is her website: http://www.pawpawrazzipetphotography.com/

It is hot, hot, hot here on the coast today. Someone must have left the heater on! We are not used to such hot weather here, where the Pacific Ocean usually has a cooling effect. As I post this at 1 pm, it is 96 degrees at our place in Anchor Bay. 96 is the highest it has been since we moved here over 21 years ago. We are obviously going to break that not-so-fun record. Bring back our fog!!!

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Craig Tooley has been at Bower Park on the Gualala Ridge photographing Dragonflies and a Damselfly. Bower Park has a large pond/lake that the Dragonflies love. Here is an Eight-spotted Skimmer.

They are hard to photograph - well, at least for me! I went there last week and tried for some nice photos but had no luck. I did get this photo of some interesting clouds.

And here is the lake.

With warm weather in the forecast, a visit to Bower Park will certainly bring you sightings of dragonflies. Here's a fun fact about dragonflies: They have four wings that can operate independently of each other. As you might imagine, they are excellent fliers. They can fly up, down, sideways, backwards, and they can even hover like a helicopter.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. I will be sharing more of his photos soon! To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Laura Baker noticed this colorful caterpillar, which she knew was an Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar. It was feeding on Coast Angelica, a native wildflower.

Here is the beautiful butterfly it will become. Drew Fagan took this photo of the Anise Swallowtail Butterfly feeding on lavender.

Seeing a butterfly makes me happy. How about you?

Thanks to Laura and Drew for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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John Costa photographed this Alligator Lizard who we think is pregnant.

It does seem like she is telling John to back-off, because I don't think that is a smile! Alligator Lizard young are born between June and September.

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