Tag Archives: Anchor Bay

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A group of Shrimp Russulas, Russula xeramplina, has bloomed under a Shore Pine tree on our property. I finally learned the identification of these edible mushrooms after a mushroom forage with David Arora a month or so ago. First, it is a substantial mushroom, not flimsy. The stem is rosy though you will have to look closely at my photo to see the blush. When you scratch the stem it should turn yellow. To further make sure you have the edible Russula, bite off a small piece of the cap, chew and then spit out. If you taste pepper you have the wrong one.

 These two 'shrooms are growing next to a large rock at our home in Anchor Bay.

It's been cold and dry here on the Mendonoma Coast. But these Shrimp Russulas didn't seem to mind! To see several other photos of this mushroom, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/11/24/shrimp-russula-has-appeared-on-the-edge-of-our-forest-in-anchor-bay/

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Watching a lovely sunrise with the full moon glowing in the west is a treat given to those fortunate enough to be on the Mendonoma Coast. You can also see the lights of a fishing boat out on the Pacific Ocean.

 And here is the rest of the sunrise, looking southwest, from our property in Anchor Bay - sheer loveliness!

 The earliest of the Manzanitas have begun blooming. These exquisite white flowers are shaped like upside-down urns. Some people remove Manzanitas bushes from their property and the ecosystem is hurt because of it. These blossoms feed our year 'round hummingbirds, the Anna's. They provide food for our native bees and butterflies. Since Manzanitas are the first to bloom in the winter, they are crucial for our wildlife.

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This is a new mushroom for me. Zeller's Boletes, Boleuts zelleri, have been appearing on our property in Anchor Bay for the past three or so weeks. Is this just a good year for them or have I not noticed them before? Only time will answer that question.

Zeller's Boletes are edible and they are only found in Western North America, from British Columbia, down the Pacific Northwest and south to Mexico. It is a colorful mushroom with its yellow and red stem. Like all Boletes it has a sponge underneath the cap. The ones on our property have a grayish top when young, browner with age and the sponge is yellow.

Do you see the bite mark on the largest mushroom? That was Huckleberry, our golden retriever. Rick and I try to stop him from eating wild mushrooms.

Here's is the dog in question, posing by a bloom of tiny mushrooms on the forest floor. At least he didn't try to eat these. Who knows if they are the hallucinogenic kind!

If you'd like to learn about our recent mushroom forage with David Arora, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/11/17/a-mushroom-forage-with-author-david-arora/

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The coast is alive with the sounds of California Sea Lions. In the calm air, their barking calls can be heard for several miles. Juvenile male Sea Lions have recently returned to the Mendonoma Coast. And they are forming rafts in groups of twenty or more. This has been seen off of Anchor Bay, The Sea Ranch and Timber Cove. They roll to one side and hold a flipper up in the air. This helps to regulate their bodies temperature.

Barbara Rice used her camera and her scope to digascope this photo of a raft of Sea Lions with a Gray Whale spouting just behind. Many thanks go to Barbara for allowing me to share this unique photo with you here.

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Suzie Chapler captured the last sun rays yesterday afternoon that ushered in the Winter Solstice. My thanks to Suzie, and her mom Gretchen, for allowing me to share her evocative photo here.

Today we celebrate the first full day of winter. Gray Whales continue to be seen. I saw a pod of five Gray's headed south from my home in Anchor Bay.