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Sea Stars, also known as Starfish, are being seen in tide pools off the Mendonoma coast. That's good news, because we were losing them to a wasting disease. Patricia Maxwell went to Anchor Bay Beach with her daughter and a friend during a recent low tide. Her daughter, Lauren Hall, took these two photos, which show Ochre Stars, one purple and one orange.

These were two BIG Sea Stars, according to Pat.

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

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I've been working on an article about dragonflies and I've learned so many interesting facts about them. They evolved over 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs. Craig Tooley sent along several photos that he has taken over the years. One of them was this beauty, which Kathy Biggs identified as a Variegated Meadowhawk.

My, what purple eyes you have, Variegated Meadowhawk Dragonfly!

Here's a photo I took of a Flame Skimmer, which landed on top of a sprinkler head in my garden, and posed long enough for me to get a photo.

Then the dragonfly, moved, turned around, and let me get a photo of the back.

I love these creatures! Kathy Biggs has a great booklet out entitled "Common Dragonflies of California, a Beginner's Pocket Guide." I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. You can see much more of Craig's nature photography at www.ruffimage.com

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This cute, little yellow and black caterpillar can be seen wandering across paths this time of year. Steve East photographed this Yellow Bear Caterpillar.

These caterpillars become Virginia Tiger Moths. a white moth with a few black dots.

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

The fog has pulled back and we are having a lovely day on the Mendonoma coast!

 

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Bill Clark photographed this big bank of fog recently - it does look like a mountain range out over the Pacific Ocean.

 

Here on the Mendonoma coast, August is often called "Foggust." To see yesterday's eclipse, coast residents had to head far inland, or get to a higher elevation. Rick and I took a hike in our forest during the eclipse. It seemed as if a storm was coming in, as the foggy day got darker and darker. The birds didn't seem to be affected by the eclipse, as their calls were heard through the dark event.

Thanks to Bill for allowing me to share his photo with you here. And I'm happy to report the sun appeared this afternoon! Should be a wonderful weekend coming up.

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Pelican Bluffs isn't open to the public yet, but it will be soon. The Mendocino Land Trust has  paved the parking area and work has been done creating trails and building a boardwalk. Peter Reimuller walked these lands recently. The bluffs are very dramatic and beautiful. I really look forward to exploring here when it opens in the fall. I will let you know when the grand opening occurs.

To learn more about Pelican Bluffs and other public access places, here is the link to the Mendocino Land Trust's website: http://mendocinolandtrust.org/

Here is the direct link to learn more about Pelican Bluffs: http://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/trails/southern-coastal-trails/pelican-bluffs-trail/