Tag Archives: Linda Bostwick

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Linda Bostwick noticed an unusual moth. She wrote, “I discovered this beautiful moth but was unsuccessful in looking it up. We call it the Monkey Face Moth. Check out the beautiful blue iridescent scales, and the great brown face on its back.”

Laura Baker helped find the ID, which is surprisingly enough not the Monkey Face Moth, but a Zigzag Furcula Moth. Its host plants are willows, cottonwoods and birch.  It is also called a Poplar Kitten Moth.

Thanks to Linda for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Fog over the ocean, sunny a little inland - sounds like summer on the Mendonoma coast!

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A rare plant has bloomed near Rick’s and my home in Anchor Bay, last year and this year too. We took wildflower aficionados Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick to see the spiky maroon and white flower last weekend. There, growing in sandy soil and forest duff, was a Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata.

Here's a closer view of the flowers - they are quite beautiful.

Sugarsticks, also called Candysticks, are parasitic plants. They feed on fungi in the soil. The two places I’ve found them have Matsutake mushrooms in the fall. If you have known Matsutake spots, look and see if you might also have Sugersticks. Last year’s flowers are still standing as leathery thin stalks.

Interesting that they seem to be associated with Matsutake fungus!

We have had cool, foggy weather on the Mendonoma coast this week. The sun finally appeared mid-afternoon. There are lots of people here with their fancy cars, as there is a car show on Saturday at Gualala Arts. It's free and lots of fun. Here is a link to the Gualala Arts Center about the event: http://gualalaarts.org/2018/07/10th-annual-gualala-arts-auto-show-8th-annual-pinewood-derby/

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Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick must be doubly fortunate, as they had two sets of birds nest in their birdhouse. The first to occupy the box were Chestnut-backed Chickadees. Once their chicks had fledged, Violet-green Swallows took residence and currently have chicks in the birdhouse.

Violet-green Swallow in a nesting box by Mel Smith (1024x576)Here's a photo Linda took a few years ago of a Violet-green Swallow with a feather in its beak. A nice soft touch for a nest!

Male Violet-green Swallow with a feather by Linda BostwickThanks to Mel and Linda for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Linda Bostwick and Mel Smith noticed this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk perusing their vegetable garden in Point Arena. The hawk is welcome to any tasty gophers it finds in there!

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk by Mel Smith

Here's a close-up of one taken by Sylvia Marie. Red-tailed hawks have so many different feather patterns and colors. It's a good thing the adults have that red tail!

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk by Sylvia Marie (Large)

Thanks to Mel and Sylvia for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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A series of storms has rumbled through the Mendonoma Coast. Today is a "wait five minutes" kind of day - first it's raining, then the sun comes out, whoops - it's raining again! Of course we are having rainbows. Beth Kattleman photographed a spectacular one recently at The Sea Ranch.

Double Rainbow by Beth Kattleman (Large)

There is a faint double rainbow over the vibrant one. Linda Bostwick photographed a rainbow appearing next to a hailstorm near Point Arena.

Rainbow in a hailstorm by Linda Bostwick

Rainbow days are one of the privileges of being on the Mendonoma Coast!

Thanks for Beth and Linda for allowing me to share their photos with you here.