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We get some fabulous cloud displays in autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. Eric Zetterholm recently photographed an interesting sunset.

Yes, I can see a city - this is could almost be a Fata Morgana mirage, but they are usually just above the horizon or floating on the horizon. Whatever this is, it is beautiful and intriguing!

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

It was very cool overnight but today turning into a lovely warm and sunny day with no wind. Hooray for Autumn!

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Perry Hoffman had good luck two weeks ago, seeing a Bobcat. He wrote, “Driving back from Santa Rosa, I was cruising through Bodega when I spied another photographer with a big lens, looking into a field. I pulled over and joined him to find the Bobcat. After a few minutes had passed the Bobcat decided to head south. I noticed a lane going up to a farm where the Bobcat was headed. So, I ran back to my car and went to the lane and parked. Jumped out and saw the Bobcat coming towards me... maybe only 20 to 15 feet away. Lucky me.”

Bobcats are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They love hunting for gophers and such in grassy meadows.

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

I looked at the barometer this morning and it was very low - 29.37 inches. But there is no storm here. Skies are blue and it's breezy, temps in the 60's. It's really a lovely autumn day!

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Ron Bolander was at the Gualala River lagoon recently when he spotted this River Otter. And the otter IS looking right at Ron. It would be so very interesting to know what this River Otter was thinking!

A family of River Otters makes their home at the Gualala River. It's a testament to how clean the waters are as River Otters can't tolerate pollution.

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

It's sunny, breezy and cool on the Mendonoma Coast today! Bonus sighting: Perhaps the first of the Aleutian Cackling Geese were heard and then seen flying southward yesterday. They are usually on the move ahead of stormy weather. When will we get our first autumn storm? TBD!

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Shari Goforth recently went on a pelagic trip out of Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. She got some great looks at Humpback Whales. I love this first one where the water is streaming off the big whale's tail.

There has been so much food for these whales and other marine animals - and the food of choice is anchovies. Brown Pelicans eat them too, as do Gulls and many other birds.

Thanks to Shari for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We've had a lot of fog right on the coast, though it's sunny just a little ways east. It's helped to cool things off a bit, and more cooling is predicted for the days ahead.

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The rut - the mating season - of the Black-tailed Deer has commenced. John Meyer got this beautiful photo of a Doe running with the ocean in the background. She very well could be running from a randy Buck.

Eric Zetterholm watched and photographed as a Buck approached a more willing Doe.

Eric told me the Buck did mount the Doe. It's time to drive a little more carefully while these big Bucks only have one thing on their minds!

Thanks to John and Eric for allowing me to share their photos with you here!

Warm and muggy this morning with overhead clouds. Hot this afternoon as the clouds have disappeared for the most part.