Tag Archives: Ben Angwin

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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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I'll let Ben tell the story. He wrote, “On Thursday last week, I went on one of my usual hikes in Gualala Point Park.  This took me out to the north end of the bluff trail.  I rounded a corner and to my surprise a doe and two fawns, still with spots, were crossing the trail right in front of me."

"I was able to get a few pictures and happy with capturing a family portrait, I continued my hike out to the Salal Creek waterfall.  On my way back, I rounded the corner to find that ‘Dad’ had joined the party."

"He was staring at me from not 20 feet away, all four points of him.  I am pretty sure I have seen him before, down by the big pool in Sea Ranch.  We looked at each other for a bit, I got a few pictures and then I just said, ‘Thank you’ and I walked away.”

I too feel gratitude when I have an experience like this. And I think it's a great idea to say 'Thank you' like Ben did.

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

Sunny and warm today, the wind picked up late this afternoon. We're going into a warming trend so now is a good time to head for the Mendonoma Coast!

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Though there are quite a few overhead clouds this Sunday, the sun has shone through for most of the day. Harbor Seals are known for sleeping on rocks in the sun. Ben Angwin found something unusual a few weeks ago - two Harbor Seals molting!

I sent Ben’s photo to Jan Roletto, marine mammal expert for NOAA. She wrote, “Yes, that's a molting in harbor seal. The seal looks like a very healthy animal but is molting a couple of months later than most. Harbor seals molt June - July, just after pups are weaned. This is a ‘shedding’ of fur but will look a little ‘patchy with older duller fur mixed with new shiny fur with brilliant spots. This is what I see in the photo.”

When I look close at Ben’s photo, both Harbor Seals appear to be molting. It’s a mystery as to why they are doing so this late in the year.

Sara Bogard did her census of the Harbor Seals at the Point Arena Lighthouse Peninsula and adjacent Point Arena-Stornetta Lands a few days before Christmas. She found 125 Harbor Seals. Harbor Seals are apex animals. If they are doing well, the ecosystem is doing well too.

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

It's sunny and cool. We are promised at least a week without rain. My season to date rain total is 40.73 inches, which is amazing. 50 inches is a normal wet winter at Rick's and my place.

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Bucks have been reappearing on the Mendonoma Coast and they have one thing on their minds. Bucks have been seen locking antlers over a particularly attractive Doe. It's the time of year to give these big Bucks a wide berth.

Recently Ben Angwin photographed a young Buck in the grasses at Gualala Point Regional Park.

 Gualala Point Rergional Park is a favorite of mine. Rick and I enjoy taking our golden retriever, Huckleberry, there for a walk. Below is a photo I took from the bluff trail on Thursday. Beautiful, wouldn't you agree?

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