Tag Archives: The Sea Ranch

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We usually see many Monarchs in the autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. But sightings this year have been few and far between - not good news for these beautiful butterflies. However, Molly McKusick found this one at The Sea Ranch.

And Grace O'Malley photographed this one in Timber Cove.

I saw a large orange butterfly this morning from my house, but it was too far to confirm if it was a Monarch, but I'd like to believe it was!

Thanks to Molly and Grace for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another clear, dry day, with mild temperatures. Thank goodness we had those two storms before this high pressure system moved back in. Last night there was a green flash at sunset, and conditions for one tonight look very promising.

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Shirley was walking the bluff trail at The Sea Ranch when she saw this sight.

The fence is perfectly reflected on the trail. You can see some white water on the right, along with the blue water. A beautiful day on the trail!

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

We received a little over four inches of rain from the two storms. What a relief and a blessing. After morning showers, the sun reappeared, with white clouds dancing across the sky.

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A beautiful hummingbird was seen on October 2 and 3 at The Sea Ranch. John Batchelder’s daughter, Marianne, was the first to see it and identify it.

BBIH @TSR 100220

Diane Hichwa wrote, “There is a rare bird staying for a few days at Sea Ranch - a Broad-billed Hummingbird. It has been seen on two other occasions in Sonoma County.  It SHOULD be in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico, but not here. But it is.”

Several other photographers got wonderful photos of the colorful hummer, including Craig Tooley.  Craig wrote, “It is spectacular. Also, it makes a very different sound than our local Hummers.” Here is a link to hear their calls, which are quite different! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird/sounds

Karen Wilkinson also photographed the beautiful hummingbird.

Why this little bird was so far from its normal territory is a puzzle, but we know how to appreciate beauty when we see it. Welcome to the Mendonoma Coast, little hummer!

Thanks to John, Craig and Karen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having a oh-so-lovely autumn day today. Perhaps a little rain tomorrow, please rain gods and goddesses!

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Don Chigazola captured this beautiful sight - Shell Beach, which is on The Sea Ranch, and the Milky Way.

A beautiful work of art!

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

The smoke is much less today. We're looking forward to a nice westerly breeze to disperse the smoke.

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John Harmon was at Sea Pine Beach at low tide on The Sea Ranch when he saw all these healthy Stars. They look to be feeding on a bed of Mussels.

These are Ochre Stars and they also eat clams and oysters. I do know one creature that eats Sea Stars and that is a Western Gull. Here's a photo of this gull taken by Allen Vinson. The food chain in action!

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

A heat wave has enveloped the western part of the United States. If you travel inland from the coast just a bit, you hit very high temps. Here on the Mendonoma Coast, there is no fog, just a gentle breeze and warm temps today.