Tag Archives: Perry Hoffman

•

Leah Ellis, visiting her grandmother, Lois Talkovsky at The Sea Ranch, looked out a window and saw these Gray Foxes cavorting.

Gray Fox mother with two of her kits by Leah Ellis

Apparently there are three young kits in the family. Leah photographed the mother fox with one kit, and then another active kit appears - what a treat to see.

Here is a photo of nearly newborn Gray Fox kits, taken last year by Perry Hoffman.

Thanks to Leah for allowing me to share her video with you here. And thanks to Perry for the cute Gray Fox kit photo.

Quite foggy this morning, but this afternoon the fog has pulled back over the Pacific Ocean. It's a cool and breezy July afternoon here on the Mendonoma Coast. Bonus sighting: Humpback Whales have been seen over the past several days, and two Blue Whales were also spotted!

•

California Milkwort, Polygala californica, is a perennial herb. Perry Hoffman photographed a nice group with fog droplets on them.

California Milkwort attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and supports various wildlife. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory properties.

I have a nice group of them blooming on Rick's and my place in Anchor Bay now.

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

It's another sunny day, though fog was in at Point Arena early this morning. This afternoon the wind has picked up.

•

Perhaps this Osprey just wanted to get a drink of water. Perry Hoffman was there to get this great photo.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Perry's photography and art, here is his website: https://magentaraven.com/

The fog has retreated and the winds have picked up. It's a breezy warm day on the Mendonoma Coast today!

•

Perry Hoffman wrote, "I saw these birds cawing and pursuing each other and wondered if it was a mating ritual... turn out I was correct. I did a composite photo to show them in action

I've read that Pigeon Guillemots are socially monogamous and keep their pair bonds for many  breeding seasons. In spring, pairs return to the breeding grounds, like here off the Mendonoma Coast, and begin courtship near the nest site. The male often chases or circles the female at sea, calling, and sometimes pursues her underwater. And that's what Perry saw and photographed.

On land, the male circles or even jumps over the female, pointing his bill downward and raising his red feet conspicuously as he marches. The female, suitably impressed, circles the male, and then indicates her acceptance.

To hear their very high-pitched calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pigeon_Guillemot/sounds

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see more of Perry's photography and artwork, here is the link to his website: https://magentaraven.com/

Sunny and warm today with a gentler breeze than yesterday!

•

Karen Wilkinson found "tens of thousands of Calochortus in bloom right now, one of my all-time favorite.” Their common names are Pussy Ears (because they are so soft to the touch) and Tolmie Star-tulip. Karen found them at Salt Point State Park.

Perry Hoffman found Sun Cups. His photo made me smile.

And Julia Larke found Calypso Orchids still in bloom. The ones on Rick's and my land have bloomed and are done.

These little orchids are such a treat to find in the forest!

Thanks to Karen, Perry and Julia for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Yesterday, Monday, was quite hot - our first hot day of the year. 85 degrees at our place. Today it's back to our normal spring coolness, and the fog rolled in to cool things off further.