Tag Archives: Craig Tooley

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I love Coast Lilies, Lilium maritimum. They are considered rare and only found in wet areas within two miles of the ocean. Craig Tooley recently photographed one, one of his Pics O Joy.

Promise me to never pick them or to dig them up in the wild. Just enjoy their fleeting beauty. Beauty is something we need more of in today's world.

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

The fog rolled in overnight, ending our warm stretch for a few days.

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One of Craig Tooley's Pic O Joy photos is this Mylitta Crescent Butterfly, Phyciodes mylitta.

This butterfly breeds on thistles, and both males and females visit many different types of flowers.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's downright hot at our place in Anchor Bay today! We need our natural air conditioning to kick in - where is that summer fog?

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Craig Tooley sent in a Pic O Joy, this Gray Fox taking a  nice nap. Who knew a redwood stump would make a comfy bed?

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, and to see his daily Pics O Joy, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Another sunny, windy day. Warm weather begins to move in tomorrow.

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Great Egrets are year-round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They can often be found near a river. Craig Tooley photographed one resting on a coastal bluff.

In breeding plumage, a patch of feathers on their face near their eyes turns green. We have a smaller egret here, a Snowy Egret. Eric Zetterholm's photo shows the larger Great Egret on the left and the smaller Snowy Egret on the right.

Great Egrets are the symbol of the National Audubon Society. These birds were killed for their feathers, which were used to decorate women's hats. Audubon was founded to stop this practice, thus saving these elegant birds from extinction.

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

Drippy fog early this morning has completely disappeared. It's a lovely summer day on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Amy Ruegg several weeks ago wrote, "I am so excited to share my photo of Little Prince’s Pine or Pipsissewa, which grows in the Redwood forest on the ridge in The Sea Ranch. It is such a special little plant, only about two or three inches tall. I have been trying to find one in full bloom and get a picture of it for over five years. Today it was absolutely perfect, even though the mosquitoes were attacking me as I held still for the shot.”

Craig Tooley also got a photo one one, this one a close-up of the flower. Isn't it striking?

A neighboring property in Anchor Bay has several groups of these native wildflowers, but they are growing in full sun. However, this year there are no flowers. These tiny plants are quite sturdy, and they are a joy to find.

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

Happy Summer Solstice, the first day of summer. We started out foggy this morning but the sun soon prevailed, at least in Anchor Bay. It's sunny with a few drifting high clouds. I wish you a happy summer as we navigate through these difficult times. Walks in nature can surely help!