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A Gulf Fritillary was spotted by Hilary Prentiss in her yard in Gualala.

She wrote, “Fun facts about this butterfly: Their caterpillars feed exclusively on passion flower vines. Their bright orange color serves as a warning to predators that they are unpalatable due to the toxins in the passion flower vines they eat. And the underside of their wings have shiny spots that offer camouflage when their wings are closed.”

We've also had two Monarch butterfly sightings. One was quite tattered and photographed by Shari Goforth. Shari saw this butterfly near Surf Market in Gualala. It flew to the Gualala Bluff Trail where it then fed on rock rose blossoms.

Ann Yeo saw a Monarch in much better shape, also in Gualala. Those who study these butterflies are very interested in what they are feeding on and where they are over-wintering. Mary Sue Ittner took a look at Ann’s photo and believes the plant could be Escalonia rubra, a non-native plant known to be popular with Monarchs as its flowers are nutrient rich.

We know Monarch butterflies are struggling so any sighting of one is precious. Gulf Fritillary butterflies were introduced to southern California before 1908. According to UCDavis' website: "This butterfly has no native host plant in California and is entirely dependent on introduced species of the tropical genus Passiflora (Passion Flower, Passion Vine), including the common Maypop (P. incarnata) and P. X alatocaerulea."

Thanks to Hilary Prentiss, Shari Goforth, and Ann Yeo for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

There must be butterflies today as the temperature was close to 70 degrees. While much of the country is experience extremely cold temps, it seems rather surreal to have this warm, dry weather.

 

 

 

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Michael Coustier wrote, “[Last] weekend, the wife and I were in the Gualala Point Regional Park enjoying a walk and maybe hoping to see some whales. I was busy scanning the horizon with my camera when my wife (using binoculars) says, "What’s that bird on the edge?" I struggled for a minute to find what she was pointing out, but eventually found the bird - a pretty common Red-tailed Hawk. What was less common was watching him fly off with his lunch snack.”

The short tail and color of the rodent looks like the hawk caught a vole.

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

Another lovely, dry day here today, with no wind. Temps close to 70 degrees!

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I had never seen this before. Brown Pelicans rest and take shelter on offshore rocks. Jon Shiu noticed hundreds, perhaps a thousand or more, in the water, together in quite a few large groups, very close to the Mendocino Headlands.

I sent Jon's photos to several ornithologists and they had never seen this either. I hope to learn more in the days ahead. It must have been a safe haven for them!

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

Sunny and warm (70+ degrees!) today, a beautiful day on the Mendonoma Coast!

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Ben Angwin photographed a double green flash several weeks ago, on Dec. 28 to be exact. My visiting friend, Barb Bourke, and I saw it too, a real treat.

Kate Bloch got a photo of the next night's sunset, which I inadvertently missed. Kate's shows the rarest of the color, when the green flash turns to violet. Look closely at the very top of the setting sun.

Thanks to Ben and Kate for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

With our string of dry days, green flash watching in order. Two nights ago I saw a beautiful green flash, a double green flash, from Rick's and my deck in Anchor Bay. My golden retriever, Honey Bun, watched the sunset with me. Sorry, I didn't get a photo of the double green flash...it's not easy, though Ben and Kate make it look easy!

 

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Bald Eagles continue to expand northward as their numbers increase. Jon Shiu photographed this Bald Eagle flying over the Navarro River.

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

"For such a powerful bird, the Bald Eagle emits surprisingly weak-sounding calls—usually a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes. The female may repeat a single, soft, high-pitched note that has been called “unlike any other calls in nature”; apparently this signals her readiness for copulation." You can listen for yourself at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/sounds

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

We are having cool and dry weather. No rain predicted for at least a week or more. There are overhead clouds late this afternoon, which are making for a dreamy-looking sunset!