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Gray Whales have been seen the past several days, many are mothers with calves. On Wednesday we watched a pod from our deck in Anchor Bay in the late afternoon. One whale did a complete breach! Here is a photo taken by Ron LeValley that shows you what a Gray Whale breach looks like. When the whale hits the water there is a BIG splash.

Also migrating north are thousands of Aleutian Cackling Geese. Richard Kuehn photographed several large flocks this past week consisting of over two hundred geese in each flock. The flocks look like undulating ribbons in the sky.

Rich took a close-up of them. They used to be called Canada Geese but they are smaller than Canada Geese and have the new name of Aleutian Cackling Geese. And, yes, they are quite noisy as they migrate. It's really fun to hear them approaching, cackling away.

Thanks to Rich and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

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The Salal Trail is a public access trail that starts at Gualala Point Regional Park. Once you pass the pay station, park at the first parking area on the left. The trail head is to the left. The trail goes between Highway One and The Sea Ranch Golf Links. It then turns west, meandering through some lovely trees and bushes. The trail eventually brings you to a very special waterfall. Robert Scarola hiked the trail just after one of the big February rain storms. This is what he found.

It's a magical place to visit when the creek is full. The trail eventually ends at a small beach, a perfect end to a wonderful trail.

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

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We take a break from a series of storms that brought much needed rain to California. This week is forecast to be dry and warm, a perfect time to visit the Mendonoma Coast.

When the storms were arriving, the wave action was beautiful to behold. Allen Vinson was out with his camera and got these wonderful photos. First a rainbow wave.

 The surging Pacific Ocean is in plain sight.

 And here storm clouds gather over a silver ocean.

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

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After one of our recent storms, Wendy Bailey found this branch down in her garden. It's beautifully decorated with Lichens and Turkey Tails.

Belly Button Hedgehogs are up, as are Winter Chanterelles. I've had a report that Sweet Tooth Hedgehogs are appearing too. And the first Black Trumpets. Here is a photo by Eric Kritz taken a few years ago of my friend, Rachel Kritz, holding a Sweet Tooth Hedgehog, a delicious edible mushroom.

And here Rick shows you the difference between a huge Sweettooth and the smaller Belly Buttons.

Thanks to Wendy and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here. Happy foraging!

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It's always a special moment when we see Monarch Butterflies appear. This is the long-lived generation, the Methuselah generation. They have migrated many miles and the females will soon migrate inland to lay their eggs on native milkweed. Here on the Coast, where milkweed isn't native, these beautiful butterflies are feeding on other native plants, such as Manzanitas.

Nancy Scarola noticed one in her Sea Ranch garden last week and her husband, Robert, photographed it. Notice its tattered wings from the many miles it has traveled.

I saw one in my garden today - my first one of the year. Journey North tracks these butterflies. If you would like to participate in this citizen science project, or just see the sightings that other people have posted, here is their link: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Maps.html You will see they track many other migrations, including Gray Whales.

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