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Harbor Seals are being born on secluded beaches on the Mendonoma Coast. On The Sea Ranch there are several beaches where Harbor Seals are born every year. Carol Hunter was observing last week when a Harbor Seal gave birth. The first photo shows the head of the pup appearing.

Harbor Seal being born 1 by Carol Hunter Harbor Seal being born 2 by Carol Hunter Harbor Seal being born 3 by Carol Hunter Harbor Seal is born 4 by Carol Hunter

The gull observes the birthing process as it will eat the afterbirth. I love how the mother looks back at her pup as it appears. Harbor Seal mothers and pups have a loving bond that is wonderful to see.

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

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The late rains really helped the Coast's wildflowers. The Douglas Iris blooms are spectacular. Blooming now are Pacific Rhododendrons and Western Azaleas, along with the stunning Andrew's Clintonia. Many, many others are blooming now too. Paul Kozal recently photographed the wildflowers on a bluff at The Sea Ranch. Paul's photo looks like a painting - just beautiful. Wildflowers at The Sea Ranch by Paul Kozal Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's photography, including some fascinating photos of wild mushrooms, here is his website: www.paulkozal.com/

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There were a few clouds in the sky on the first day of May. One sported a sundog and Jan Jewell photographed it.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Sundogs are created when light is refracted off of ice crystals.

Thanks to Jan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Most days this past week Gray Whale mothers with calves have been spotted. They are quite close in. Paul Brewer recently photographed two mother/calf pairs. This is, I believe, a calf as there are no barnacles on it.

Gray Whale Calf by Paul Brewer

Here you will see a mother/calf pair.

Gray Whale Migration-Mother with calf by Paul Brewer

And here's a photo of the iconic Gray Whale tail.

Gray Whale Tail by Paul Brewer

And finally a Gray Whale spout.

Gray Whale spout by Paul Brewer

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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One of our most dramatic wildflowers, Andrew's Clintonia, has begun blooming in all its glory. They are members of the Lily family and can be found in shaded forests. Rozann Grunig recently photographed one.

Andrew's Clintonia by Rozann Grunig

Rick and I have one blooming in our forest that is over two feet tall. Its red blooms are quite dramatic against the Redwood tree behind it.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see Rozann's photography, here is her website: www.Highway1Designs.com