We've had lot of wind and no fog here on the Mendonoma Coast. Last Thursday we had some high clouds that gave us a beautiful sunset. Paul Brewer photographed the sunset from the banks of the Gualala River.
The Gualala River looks pink and mauve with the clouds reflected off of it. Just beautiful.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
It is said Bobcats are nocturnal but they are often seen in the daylight here on the Coast. Siegfried Matull recently photographed a Bobcat on the hunt, with one paw up in the air. Looks like the cat with the tufted ears and bobbed tail has found a tasty rodent.
And the Bobcat was successful, nabbing a Vole.
Here is one of my favorite Bobcat photos, also taken by Siegfried.
Bobcats are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast and they bring a touch of wild nature into our lives.
Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Sea Lions are fun to watch. They are a common sighting off the Mendonoma Coast. They are noisy, barking often. Killer Whales hunt them. Richard Kuehn got a photo of Sea Lions swimming hard and fast. Perhaps there was an Orca or two after them.
Sea Lions can look like porpoises, because when they swim fast they "porpoise" through the water. Jon Loveless photographed this action.
They also gather together in rafts, which is what Rozann Grunig photographed.
It is thought they raft together for protection. They hold a flipper up in the air to either warm up or cool down - thermoregulation.
And lastly, Sea Lions are very curious. Craig Tooley was out kayaking when a group came in close to check him out.
Thanks to Rich, Jon, Rozann and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com To see Rozann's nature photography, here is her website: www.highway1designs.com
Little Prince's Pine, Chimaphila menziesii, is blooming now on the Mendonoma Coast. They are fairly rare so it's a treat to see one. Ken Browning recently photographed one he found on The Sea Ranch.
One is also blooming on the Gualala Ridge. There are a few on our neighbor's property but they haven't put out a bloom yet. This native wildflower is also called Pipsissewa. It is only about two inches high and the leaves are saw-toothed.
Wildflowers like these are Mother Nature's way of seeing if you are paying attention!
Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Usually I receive wonderful photos of newborn fawns, sometimes leaping with joy like this one.
Allen Vinson got this photo. He said he got it because he saw the Fawn doing this just before it took off - peeing!
Now there's something you don't see every day. Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.