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Craig Tooley noticed this Eastern Pacific Red Octopus, Octopus rubescens, in a mussel bed.

I showed Craig's photo to Robert Van Syoc and he wrote:

"It’s pretty common in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones from Baja up to the Gulf of Alaska. It commonly feeds on small crabs, snails, clams and mussels. Since Craig captured this photo of it in a mussel bed, it may have been dining on some of the smaller mussels in the bed.”

There are so many fascinating creatures that live in the intertidal zone, which we can observe at low tide.

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

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Mark Ricci noticed this colorful moth. It's a Ctenucha Multifaria Moth.

 

This moth is a member of the Erebidae family. It is found in California and western Oregon. It's a day-flying moth and has been nicknamed the 4th of July moth, as it appears in July. Notice the antennae - Mark got a wonderful photo of this colorful moth!

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

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Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner noticed this beautiful moth feeding on a plant in their garden. It's a Hummingbird Moth, or a White-lined Sphinx Moth.

This moth has a very long tongue, with which she sips nectar from flowers. You can also see this moth's antennae, a giveaway that it is a moth, not a bird.

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

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Sarah Wagner was at the Navarro River when she captured this magical sight.

The Milky Way, in all its glory, is shining brightly in the night sky.

Thanks to Sarah for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Sarah took another photo of the Milky Way while on a night kayak trip on Big River. The stars are reflected in the river. That photo will be in this week's Independent Coast Observer. Don't miss it! Here's the ICO's website: www.mendonoma.com

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A storm out over the ocean is predicted to bring high surf and dangerous riptides beginning tonight. You know you should never turn your back on the ocean, right? Once in a while, a sneaker wave can come way in and surprise you. Don't be that person!

Anne Mary Schaefer captured a beautiful photo of the ocean and what she calls a "roiling sunset surf."

Anne Mary photographed this at Manchester Beach. Time will tell if the high surf warnings bring us a roiling ocean. Perhaps Anne Mary will be out with her camera to document it.

Thanks to Anne Mary for allowing me to share her photo with you here. She is also a talented pet photographer. She photographed our rescue golden retriever, Sunny. To see her website, here is the link: http://www.pawpawrazzipetphotography.com/

Here's a photo of Sunny taken by Anne Mary. An action photo taken at Schooner Gulch Beach. I love it!