Tag Archives: Mother Nature

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It's unusual for the Mendonoma Coast to be hit by winter-like storms in early October but that is what is happening. Yesterday we got nearly two inches of rain at our home in Anchor Bay. Another even bigger storm is due in tonight. Batten down the hatches! But this morning's sunrise was lovely.

Several friends have told me they have found Chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius, in the past couple of days. This morning, in our forest, Rick and I saw golden Chanterelles just appearing. Notice the Banana Slug approaching them too.

Chanterelles are among the most delicious of the coast's wild mushrooms. Thank you, Mother Nature!

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Yes, it is early for the Mendonoma Coast to have rain but try telling that to Mother Nature. Yesterday we received a nice soaking. Perhaps that is why this tiny Rough-skinned Newt was seen crossing a forest path this morning. Not much longer than an inch and a half, this is a baby Newt. Perhaps it started its life in one of the ponds on Quinliven Creek. Rick and I only noticed it because it moved. Notice the hints of orange coloring on its edges. If you turned this Newt over, you would see its orange undersides.

To see the adult Rough-skinned Newt that lives in the pond in our courtyard, click on this link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/04/02/an-interesting-creature-living-in-our-pond-a-rough-skinned-newt/

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Rick and I, along with our friends Nan Brichetto and Frank Drouillard, went on a hike this morning with our two Golden Retrievers. We were shocked and amazed to come across this large group of Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus. They normally are found later in the fall and winter but I guess our weather has been so cool that they decided to make an early appearance. They are, of course, edible and delicious!

They were fruiting on a downed Tanoak, a hardwood that grows on the Mendonoma Coast. In this next picture they look like gardenias!

And we aren't the only creatures that covet these fungi. Check out the Banana Slugs feasting on these mushrooms on the picture below.

A gift in the forest - thank you Mother Nature!
To see another early fruiting mushroom, a Dyer's Polypore, click on this link:
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/26/dyers-polypore-a-wild-mushroom-continues-to-evolve-continues-to-fascinate/
      My best to you today, Jeanne Jackson

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California Huckleberry - Vaccinium ovatum - bushes are full of berries after the wet winter and spring we had. The first berry to ripen is the biggest and seems to be the sweetest. On a walk yesterday I saw many berries ready to pick. Hooray! The berries are very high in antioxidants - Mother Nature's vitamin pill. They are found on the Pacific Coast and coastal British Columbia.

Many creatures feed on these berries - birds, foxes, deer and me, to name a few. I freeze big bags and put them in sourdough pancakes all year long. Delish!

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Adrian Bennett recently photographed the world of nature outside her window. A Doe and her Fawn graze amongst her many bird feeders and perches. The meadows of The Sea Ranch are just behind and the Pacific Ocean frames the shot. It looks so peaceful and idyllic that it makes me sigh in relaxation. Thanks to Adrian for allowing me to share this photo.