You wouldn't know it right now but a winter-like storm is due to hit the Mendonoma Coast tomorrow. It's very unusual for us to get a storm from the Gulf of Alaska in the summer. But every good photographer knows that a storm brings a chance for good cloud photography. Carolyn André sent me several dramatic photographs she took of clouds over The Sea Ranch and I'm happy to be able to share one of them with you here.
Maureen Simons sent in a photo she took on June 4th of a beautiful waterfall on the Salal Trail on The Sea Ranch. Her daughter calls this special place the "Lord of the Rings place" and you can see why when you look at Maureen's photo. It's magical! With the late rains we had, the creek is running high and strong.
The Salal Trail is on the north end of TSR. Maureen advises, "If you park on Grey Whale, just off of Leeward, then head north on Leeward about a block, you'll see an opening for the trail on the left. The trail runs all the way to the bluff trail." This is private property though so you need a parking pass to park there. But if you are staying at TSR or own property here, you can find this magic place for yourself.
Several large Rosey Russulas - Russula rosacea - were found by Rozann and George Grunig on The Sea Ranch this past week. This is not the time of year for these mushrooms to fruit but the late rains must have confused them. They aren't edible. If you tasted a little bit of the cap, it would be hot and you would have to quickly spit it out. But they are beautiful to look at and to photograph. And look! Rozann photographed them on top of the Independent Coast Observer. That's where my Mendonoma Sightings column can be found each and every week. mendonoma.com
Siegfried Matull manages to get some of the most fantastic photographs of Western Bluebirds on the Mendonoma Coast. How does he do it? I've learned his camera is set on a tri-pod and pre-focused on the birdhouse currently occupied by two Western Bluebirds. With his camera that can take nine shots per second, he sits next to his camera with a remote control cable in one hand and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the other. That's taking pictures, Mendonoma Coast style!
The late rains have coaxed The Prince to bloom. Agaricus augustus is a delicious, meaty wild mushroom with a wonderful almond odor. I found one lone Prince on our road this past week but Jacquelynn Baas of The Sea Ranch hit the big time and sent me a photo to prove it. In fact she has found so many Prince mushrooms that - get this - she is tired of eating them fresh and is going to dry this batch. I can only shake my head in admiration.
Jacquelynn is an accomplished writer and you can find out more about her books at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Jacquelynn-Baas/e/B001IU0Q28/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0